Rhode Island Game Fish Award Program

Each year the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes anglers who have caught game fish of notable size. Awards are presented to anglers for each species of game fish caught that meet the minimum size requirements listed below. (Only one award will be presented to an angler for each species per year.) To receive an award, an angler must catch a qualifying fish by rod and reel, tie-up, or handline by legal means in Rhode Island waters. To apply for an award, an angler must bring his or her legally-caught fish to an official weigh-in station (most bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores) where the fish will be weighed, measured, and identified. The weigh-in station operator will then fill out a game fish award application and send it to the Division of Fish and Wildlife where the application will be processed. Certificates of award will be mailed to recipients each January or February for fish caught during the previous year. To obtain an application form, click here For purposes of state records, the fish is measured according to Total Length (TL) [from the tip of snout to tip of tail.]

 

Qualifying Freshwater Species	Weight or Length
Smallmouth bass	4 lbs.
Largemouth bass	6 lbs.
Bluegill	9 inches
Pumpkinseed	8 inches
Black Crappie	12 inches
Yellow perch	12 inches
White perch	15 inches
Brown bullhead	13 inches
White catfish	4 lbs.
Chain pickerel	4 lbs.
Northern Pike	10 lbs.
Brook trout	2 lbs.
Brown trout	3 lbs.
Rainbow trout	3 lbs.
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon	3 lbs.
Qualifying Saltwater Species	Weight or Length
Striped bass	50 lbs.
Sea bass	3 lbs.
Bluefish	18 lbs.
Bonito	10 lbs.
Cod	20 lbs.
Winter Flounder	2 lbs.
Summer Flounder	8 lbs.
King Mackerel	1 lbs.
Mackerel	3 lbs.
White Marlin	70 lbs.
Pollock	15 lbs.
Scup	2 ½ lbs.
Hickory Shad	5 lbs.
Blue Shark	80 lbs.
Mako Shark	150 lbs.
Swordfish	200 lbs.
Squetegue	8 lbs.
Tautog	10 lbs.
Bluefin Tuna	450 lbs.
Yellowfin Tuna	125 lbs.