Rhode Island fishing just got easier

Hooked on fishing? The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have partnered to create and improve public access sites to help the public get outdoors for fishing, boating, and hunting throughout the Ocean State, as part of their mission to expand shoreline and fishing access. Below are just a few of the boat ramp reconstruction projects to move forward because of this partnership, but fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to go exploring to find their favorite local fishing holes.

Central

On Warwick’s eastern shore, the construction of the 280-foot-long Larry Mouradjian Fishing Pier at Rocky Point State Park tops the list of recent projects. For anglers, the T-shaped fishing pier provides a plunge into the deep waters of Narragansett Bay, just minutes from downtown Providence. It also offers a shade structure, benches, railings, and solar lighting. Railing heights vary to allow people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy and bounty of fishing on
Narragansett Bay.

East Bay

In Bristol, the ADA-accessible public boat launch at Colt State Park offers safe, year-round access to the East Bay for quahoggers and recreational anglers alike. This double-lane ramp includes a sloped middle fixed-dock system and allows safe launching and retrieving through tidal fluctuations. Anglers can also fish from a 66-foot accessible pier at the park.

South County

On the south shore of Charlestown, a newly constructed boat ramp and floating dock at Quonochontaug Pond provides better boating access to the 700-acre salt pond. “Quonnie”, as Rhode Islanders refer to it, is popular with paddlers and small fishing boats and provides oceanfront boat access to inshore fishing and a direct route to offshore excursions.

Northern

The new freshwater boat ramp at Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods State Park improves public access to one of northern Rhode Island’s most popular boating, fishing, and recreational areas. It includes a T-shaped dock anchored to the shore with an ADA-compliant canoe and kayak launch and a newly paved parking area with ADA-designated spaces.