EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A new fishing season brings new regulations in Rhode Island.

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) filed new regulations for the 2024 season with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Here is everything you need to know:

Black sea bass

For private anglers, the minimum size is 16.5 inches, with a two fish/person/day limit between May 22 and Aug. 26. The limit increases to three fish from Aug. 27 to Dec. 31.

Party and charter boats will have a minimum size of 16 inches. They will have a later start to the season, from June 18 to Aug. 31, with a two fish/person/day limit and up to six fish from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.

Bluefish

There is no minimum size and the season is open all year. For private anglers, there is a three fish/person/day limit, and for party and charter boats there is a five fish per person limit.

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

The minimum size has been increased to 19 inches this year (from 18 inches) with the season lasting from April 1 to Dec. 31, and the possession limit is six fish/person/day.

There are also Special Shore Angling Sites for fluke where anglers can take two 17-inch fish. The remaining four fish must be a minimum of 19 inches. The locations can be found online .

Striped Bass

One fish/person/day between 28 inches and less than 31 inches is allowed. It’s also advised anglers use circle hooks when fishing recreationally with bait.

Any striped bass caught using an unapproved method must be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury. Gaffs are prohibited when fishing recreationally.

New this year is a recreational fileting rule. Racks (head, tail and body) must remain intact and cannot be mutilated in a way that you can’t tell the accurate measurement of the fish. No more than two filets can be taken from one legal fish, and the racks must be kept until boats are back to the dock and the filets have been offloaded.

Tautog

There is a maximum of 10 fish/vessel/day, but this does not apply to charter boats. The minimum size is 16 inches, and only one fish can be above 21 inches.

From April 1 to May 31, the limit is three fish/person/day. The season is closed from June 1 to July 31 during spawning in Rhode Island. From Aug. 1 to Oct. 14, it’s three fish/person/day, while from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31, it’s five fish/person/day.

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