Trout

[dickd]

Should RI close trout waters at the end of February until the 2nd Saturday in April? It killed me yesterday to watch trout boiling on the surface at a local pond, where by the way I wouldn’t consider fishing on opening day because of the pandemonium.

[Sharkey N Sons]

Yes.  As soon as they start stocking, any and all trout waters should be completely closed to all fishing.

 

Being from Hope Valley, a lot of these areas start getting stocked pretty early and the longer these fish have to spread out and acclimate the better.

[DZ]

54 mins ago, dickd said:

Should RI close trout waters at the end of February until the 2nd Saturday in April? It killed me yesterday to watch trout boiling on the surface at a local pond, where by the way I wouldn’t consider fishing on opening day because of the pandemonium.

No - I really like how Mass does it.   Maybe keep the childrens ponds for opening day. 

[mikez2]

1 hour ago, DZ said:

No - I really like how Mass does it.   Maybe keep the childrens ponds for opening day. 

I love our year round season in Ma. I've been taking advantage of that for decades. We fish trout from the end of summer to ice, all through the winter, and again as soon as the ice is out.

This year in particular we took advantage with the lack of ice and fished open water all through January and February. We did really well and there hadn't been any stocking since the previous Fall.

 

Of course we have truck followers and no doubt they take a lot of trout. Nevertheless  I have never had trouble finding trout long after the trucks are gone. The meat fishermen don't get them all right off. Besides, those guys are gonna take the same numbers of trout whether you make them wait or not.

 

Why anyone would choose to participate in the opening day nonsense is beyond me. I couldnt take it.

 

[HugeDinghy]

I go after them over the winter but don’t go again after the shut down. I’ll chase Larry until the herring push hard. 

Edited March 18 by HugeDinghy

[borntafish]

 Nope 

 

Moved to CT a few years  ago Year round fishing in all trout waters. IMO takes the pressure off the fish.

[Capt.Castafly]

I was told by DEM Officials that having an open day of trout fishing generates much more numbers interest, thus generating much more paid fees for coffer. 

[mikez2]

41 mins ago, Capt.Castafly said:

I was told by DEM Officials that having an open day of trout fishing generates much more numbers interest, thus generating much more paid fees for coffer. 

I wonder how that even makes sense?

Like guys won't buy licenses or gear if they're allowed to fish more?

They're so in love with the opening day mayhem, they just won't fish without it?

 

I don't understand why they don't look at Massachusetts next door. It must be going on like, what? 50 years or something since we had an opening day?

I can't ever remember anyone complaining how they miss it.

The bait shops certainly don't mind stocking bait and gear year round. Even the convenience stores near ponds and rivers have taken to carrying worms year round.

 

Maybe the EPOs don't like it. Maybe they're like teachers and count on that break where it's quiet?

[Capt.Castafly]

I'm sure there are a lot of licenses sold for opening day that only get used once.   

[Kooky]

Opening day feels like a large mass of people fishing in a gold fish bowl

[dickd]

2 hours ago, Capt.Castafly said:

I'm sure there are a lot of licenses sold for opening day that only get used once.   

 

1 hour ago, Kooky said:

Opening day feels like a large mass of people fishing in a gold fish bowl

Agree on both counts. DEM raises the trout; they stocked them; they want people to catch them. The limit was lowered from 6 to 5 several years ago. Maybe lowering it again to 3 or 4 would be a good idea. 

A friend who did not fish on opening day last year made the rounds to different ponds out of curiosity. At one particular pond in northern RI that used to be for kids only families were leaving with buckets full of trout. Everyone limited out- grandma and even the kids in diapers.

[mikez2]

2 hours ago, Capt.Castafly said:

I'm sure there are a lot of licenses sold for opening day that only get used once.   

Weird. That's counterintuitive for me. I guess it's been so long since I had an opening day, I can't relate. It just seems like nobody would want to go through that. I guess maybe some like it.