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Bristol County Coast (RI)

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Rhode Island, United States

4.4·1174 catches

Top fish species at Bristol County Coast (RI)

Striped bass
Striped bass
Scup
Scup
Bluefish
Bluefish
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Bristol County Coast (RI) fishing reports

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Tautog

length · weight

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length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Atlantic mackerel

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Striped bass

length · weight

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General info

Bristol County Coast (RI) is a part of an ocean located in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. It is also intersecting with Newport County, Rhode Island. It is most popular for fishing Striped bass, Scup, and Bluefish.

Location

41°40′53.8″N 71°13′35.8″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Striped Bass biting on Bristol County Coast (RI)?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Bristol County Coast (RI). Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Bristol County Coast (RI), RI

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Rhode Island can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Striped bass

Striped bass

Regulation boundaryRI State Saltwater
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size28" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size30.99" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Circle Hook + Natural Bait

Circle hooks required when fishing with natural bait greater than 3" in length.

Additional information
You must use an inline circle hook while using bait to fish for striped bass. For more information, see Striped Bass and Circle Hooks and see RI Marine Fisheries Regulations: Striped Bass.
Synonyms
Morone saxatilis
Season open: May 1 - December 31
Scup

Scup

Regulation boundaryRhode Island State Waters
Bag limit30

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size9.5" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
Exceptions to stated regulations:Shore Anglers- 9.5 in length limit, 30 fish possession limit, May 1 – December 31Private- 11 in length limit, 30 fish possession limit, May 1 – December 31For-Hire- 11 in length limit, 30 fish possession limit, May 1 – August 31For-Hire- 11 in length limit, 40 fish possession limit, September 1 – October 31For-Hire- 11 in length limit, 30 fish possession limit, November 1 – December 31
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Stenotomus chrysops
Season open: year-round
Bluefish

Bluefish

Regulation boundaryRhode Island State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Additional information
No minimum size. Open year round. Bag Limit = 5 bluefish per angler per day for anglers fishing from a for-hire boat.
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
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Local laws and licenses

Rhode Island fishing license

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Reviews of Bristol County Coast (RI)

4.4
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17 ratings

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4
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Bristol

2.2 miles away

Ocean Grove

3.3 miles away

Swansea

5.3 miles away

Somerset

5.3 miles away

Tiverton

5.7 miles away

Barrington

6.3 miles away

Portsmouth

6.7 miles away

Fall River

6.8 miles away

North Westport

7.2 miles away

Melville

9.0 miles away

Westport

9.8 miles away

Warwick

10.8 miles away

East Providence

10.9 miles away

Rehoboth

11.3 miles away

Middletown

11.6 miles away

Seekonk

11.8 miles away

Newport East

11.9 miles away

Providence

13.9 miles away

North Kingstown

14.5 miles away

Cranston

14.6 miles away

Newport

14.7 miles away

East Greenwich

14.7 miles away

West Warwick

15.0 miles away

Pawtucket

15.3 miles away

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FAQ about Bristol County Coast (RI) fishing

📍 Where is Bristol County Coast (RI) located?
Bristol County Coast (RI) is a part of an ocean located in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. It is also intersecting with Newport County, Rhode Island. Its coordinates are:
41°40′53.8″N 71°13′35.8″W
.
🎣 Where on Bristol County Coast (RI) is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Bristol County Coast (RI) by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Bristol County Coast (RI)?
The most common species in Bristol County Coast (RI) are:
  • Striped bass - 144 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Scup - 84 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Bluefish - 68 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Bristol County Coast (RI) fishing reports?
The latest Bristol County Coast (RI) fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Bristol County Coast (RI) right now?
According to fishing regulations at Bristol County Coast (RI), some of the species in season this November include: Summer flounder, Black sea bass, Atlantic cod, Tautog, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Bristol County Coast (RI)?

Fishing in Rhode Island requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination licenses, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In Rhode Island, no fishing license is required for anglers under 15. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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