I took the visiting in-laws to Newport this weekend and saw the signs about night fishing permits . Anybody know anything about them? We also saw the washed up whale , man is that place going to stink this spring. I guess there are no plans to tow it out to sea. Talk about a chum slick. What are the regs about fishing at night in the park?

Joe, you may get tagged if you do not have a fishing/parking permit. Price last year went up to I think $75. In the Brenton Point park area no permits required. The fishing permit allows you to park in three different areas, ledge road, ruggles ave. and one other which I just can not remember the name. Its parallel with ruggles. Bad news is that many park illegally and I very rarely see any police.One other area to consider is Fort Adams. Lobo

Originally posted by Lobo
Joe, you may get tagged if you do not have a fishing/parking permit. Price last year went up to I think $75. In the Brenton Point park area no permits required. The fishing permit allows you to park in three different areas, ledge road, ruggles ave. and one other which I just can not remember the name. Its parallel with ruggles. Bad news is that many park illegally and I very rarely see any police.One other area to consider is Fort Adams. Lobo

Permit IS required for Brenton Pt.And I would assume the Fort also as it too is a state park.

The price was $65 for non-Newporters.That may have changed.

Those permits are only sold during the winter - they will not sell them in season. I can't remember the cut off, but it may be memorial day.

The cut off date for fishing passes is April 30th

Jim as long as you're fishing and not hanging out you can fish Brenton Point.

I do on occasion hear of someone who gets hassled by the police though. I've fished there plenty of times at night, and I've never had a problem with either the police or the EPO I occasionally see there.

Parking in the fishing permit areas without a permit is definitely a gamble; some nights you will get away with it, some times you'll get a ticket, and if they really don't like you they occasionally tow.

Where do I go for the pass? Town hall ,Police or EPOs? It takes 45 mins for my house to Ruggles- closer than National seashore it will be a nice change. Almost reminds me of Cape Ann .
12 weeks and counting-look out fish

I've been told by the powers that be, that EVERY state park is open to fisherman 24 - 7. I was also told that if you DO get hassled, get the guys name, and then you call the administrative folks (as always with this state, you should get the caller's name and tell them you WILL place a FOLLOW-UP call)
i heard that people were getting bothered at ft. adams, turns out it was just a kid who was hired for the summer, and didn't realize fisherman were allowed.

The parking permit is something that just boils my blood :af: The state's constitution clearly states people 'have the right to FREELY access the shore' for the purposes of fishing, swimming (bathing), and collecting sea-weed.
the rub lies in that nothing says towns need to provide parking for people, which turns OUR public land into semi-private - only accessable to people within walking distance.
A spot that we took to court opened up a historical fishing spot, and set a great precident. The judge ruled that providing reasonable parking was a crucial part of providing access. hopefully in time that ruling can be used in the future to reclaim spots that are now unaccessable to us.

Originally posted by Pete_G
Jim as long as you're fishing and not hanging out you can fish Brenton Point.

I do on occasion hear of someone who gets hassled by the police though. I've fished there plenty of times at night, and I've never had a problem with either the police or the EPO I occasionally see there.

Parking in the fishing permit areas without a permit is definitely a gamble; some nights you will get away with it, some times you'll get a ticket, and if they really don't like you they occasionally tow.

Pete,you're saying NO permit for parking at Brenton?

I have been hassled after dark more than once there.Both times I was told by a cop I needed a permit.I was just glad to get out without a ticket.

Why not just post the specific rules right at the park.Closed sunset to sunrise is a little vague.

I fished Brenton Point and Fort Adams all hours last year with no problems. Talked to a couple cops and parking was never even brought up. I did get a ticket on Ledge Road.

The thing that gets me is that Ledge Road and Ruggles are not considered "public right of ways" I guess all the homeowners up there opened up their property for the Cliff Walk, so they still get to call some shots. I think I'll buy a permit this year.

Chief,I've never had a problem at the Fort either.

I guess I just had the misfortune of talking with a couple of cops who didn't know what the situation was.No big deal since I wasn't cited.

Originally posted by basswipe
Pete,you're saying NO permit for parking at Brenton?

I have been hassled after dark more than once there.Both times I was told by a cop I needed a permit.I was just glad to get out without a ticket.

Why not just post the specific rules right at the park.Closed sunset to sunrise is a little vague.


As far as I know it's always been an unwritten rule that as long as you are fishing it's OK to park there after dark.

You might try rolling in at sunset so the rangers see you arrive and hopefully they'll start recognizing your vehicle.

Also, even though it's not necessary I make sure my Newport Fishing Permit is visible.

The fishing parking permit in Newport was done as an alternative to the complete prohibition of parking on those access roads at night, which very nearly happened.

And credit for the work involved - and one of these :kewl: - has to go DZ and past Councilwoman Kate Leonard for at least keeping those roads open for fishing vehicles. The guy who bought and restored 'Angelsea', the last mansion on the right at Ruggles began to treat the road as his own private property for a while, up to and including putting his own speedbumps in the road and painting his own 'No Parking' warnings along the curb. :rolleyes:

Yeah, it's a pain in the butt but the $10 fee for Newporters (and unfortunately, $60 I believe for non-residents - even the other Island towns) is a small price to pay given the alternative. Of course, the fee doesn't appear to slow down the Middletowners poaching Newport fish like Monomoy Ed B very much :hihi: - anyway, I think the resident status ought to include Newport County but so it goes.

Brenton Park is officially closed from sunset to sunrise but the DEM guys and local gendarmes are just trying to keep a lid on monkey-business and littering out there. I've been spot-lighted at night but never hassled - I usually just respond with a friendly wave of acknowledgement - but then I also know a lot of them, too.

Definitely get a permit, Chief - and Basswipe, get a permit and a hair-cut :rotf2:

Just kidding, it wasn't all that long ago I got rid of my mid-life pony-tail :tooth:

Originally posted by Crafty Angler
Definitely get a permit, Chief - and Basswipe, get a permit and a hair-cut :rotf2:

Just kidding, it wasn't all that long ago I got rid of my mid-life pony-tail :tooth:

Plan on getting the permit.The haircut......only when it starts falling out on its own:eek:

Sorry just had to post again to make it an even 500.