Top fish species at Ambrose Swamp
Check which species have trophy potential in Ambrose Swamp
Ambrose Swamp fishing reports
Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app
Fishing regulations at Ambrose Swamp, 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
Black sea bass
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.
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.
Recreational anglers:
Closed season: Jan 1 through May 21
Minimum size: 16-inches total length
Bag Limit:
- May 22 to Aug 26: 2 black sea bass/person/day
Party and Charter Boats:
Closed season: Jan 1 through June 17
Minimum size: 16-inches total length
Bag Limit:
- May 16-August 31: 4 black sea bass/person/day
- September 1-December 31: 6 black sea bass/person/day
Tautog
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.
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.
The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.
The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.
Only one fish may be greater than 21-inches.
Bag limit increases to 5 tautog/person/day from October 15 to December 31.
Vessel limit = 10 tautog/vessel.
Charter and Party anglers: no vessel limit.
Atlantic bluefin tuna
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
Curved fork length means the length of a tuna taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail. The measuring tape must pass over (and touch) the pectoral fin and the caudal keel.
HMS Tuna
Anglers with an HMS Angling permit may harvest Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin, Skipjack using handline, rod and reel, or speargun. Bluefin tuna may only be harvested using handline or rod and reel (no speargun).
Gigging
Harvest by gigging prohibited.
Snagging
Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.
Spears
Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category when fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna. Retention limits for HMS Angling category-permitted vessels are as follows:
Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT):
- < 27" curved fork length: bag limit = 0
- 27" to <73" curved fork length: bag limit = 1 per vessel per day or trip
- > 73" curved fork length: bag limit = 1 per vessel per year provided the "trophy" category subquota in the respective region is available at the time of harvest (see below).
- Gulf of Maine: open
- Southern New England: open
- Trophy South: closed
- Gulf of America: closed
For additional regulations and bag limits, see the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Bag Limits webpage .
Bluefin tuna retention limits may change throughout the season. To confirm current limits, call 1-888-872-8862 or 1-978-281-9260.
Anglers must report all recreational bluefin tuna landings. Report all non-tournament recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-888-872-8862 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.
You must report recreational landings of bluefin tuna in North Carolina by calling 1-800-338-7804.
You must report recreational landings of bluefin tuna in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531.
Fishing for highly migratory species recreationally requires an HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat vessel permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit.
For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov
Free trial available