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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: March 22, 2007
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM SAYS TROUT STOCKING TAKING PLACE IN ADVANCE OF APRIL 14 START OF FRESHWATER FISHING SEASON
Notes "First Fish" Program for Youngsters

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that the 2007 trout and general freshwater fishing season will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 14. More than 20,000 anglers are expected to turn out at dawn on opening day.

Approximately 70,000 two-year-old brook, brown, and rainbow trout with an average individual weight of about one pound are being stocked in more than 80 ponds and streams for opening day. About 10 percent of the fish are two-pound brown and rainbow trout.

In addition to the six regular ponds that are restricted to children 14 years of age and younger, Cass Pond in Woonsocket and Slater Park Pond in Pawtucket will be open for children only for the first two days of the fishing season.

DEM sponsors a "First Fish" program for children, who can fill out an on-line certificate and have it signed by the chief of DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife. For further information, and to download the certificate, go DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Programs", then "Fish and Wildlife", then "Freshwater Fisheries".

A 2007 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older wishing to catch fish. A Trout Conservation Stamp is also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or 'fly-fishing only' area. Fishing licenses and the $5.50 Trout Conservation Stamp can be obtained at any city or town clerk's office or authorized agent, such as most bait and tackle shops.

Increase Seen in Online Fishing License Transactions and Other Online Services More and more anglers are discovering that they can purchase their fishing licenses online via www.ri.gov, which can also be reached through the freshwater fisheries page on DEM's website. Close to 2,400 freshwater fishing licenses have been issued via the online site since June 2004, including more than 700 around the start of last year's fishing season. Total use for all online services, including boat registration renewals and address changes, freshwater fishing licenses, and marine licenses, has tripled in the past three years, resulting in over 3,300 transactions last year alone.

License fees remain at $18 for Rhode Island residents and current members of the Armed Forces, $33 for a combination hunting and fishing license, $35 for non-residents, and $16 for a non-resident tourist three-consecutive-day license. Anglers over 65 must have a license, which for them is free, but do not need a trout stamp. The license is also free for anyone with a 100 percent disability.

A list of stocked ponds and other information of interest to anglers can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Programs", and then choosing "Freshwater Fisheries".

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