Herring Questions

[Duke41]

I have read the posts and it seems that most of you dip net herring in RI. My kids have caught herring off of darts fsihing off the docks near my boat. Is is legal to catch herring that way. Could I float over to the mouth of the Narrow or somewhere else and catch herring with these dart rigs?

[fishsmith]

I think catching them on a dart is legal.

Here's the DMF site:

http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dmf/re...m#restrictions

They do not list a size limit, but under prohibitions this is listed:

"Prohibitions
Snagging, Snatching of Anadromous Fish: including shad, smelt, white perch, striped bass, trout, and salmon, but excluding alewives or river herring is prohibited."

[jettyjockey18]

those are mass regs...i think duke is fishing in rhody...

i'm pretty sure that rhody has no restirctions for catching herring in the ocean...i've read numeroous posts about people filling up trash barrels full of herring at the run in little compton (tiverton?) which is on the coast...

[JohnR]

I'm pretty certain that it's legal as long as you are not in or at the mouth of an estuary. Find them in more open saltwater and I beleive they're fair game.

I think everyone is SOL regardless in CT...

[Moron_Saxatilis]

They were Hickory Shad more than likely.

[bloocrab]

i'm pretty sure that rhody has no restirctions for catching herring in the ocean...i've read numeroous posts about people filling up trash barrels full of herring at the run in little compton

Your mistaken on that JJ -

Regulations are being heavily enforced. That run was so skinny last year that you were better off using a dip net at the canal picking up the "used" herring as they floated by

They should have started enforcing the regulations there MUCH MUCH SOONER!!

[bloocrab]

Here it is, DIRECTLY from the R.I. DEM (2003-2004)

ANADROMOUS FISHERIES REGULATIONS

2.1 No person shall take more than twenty-four (24) alewives Alosa pseudoharengus or blueback herring Alosa aestivalis either singularly or in aggregate from the freshwater streams or rivers of the state in any 24-hour period. No person shall take any alewives or blueback herring from the fresh waters of the state without a valid freshwater fishing license. No person shall take any alewives or blueback herring from the fresh waters of the state on any Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday of any week.

2.2 No person shall take any alwives or blueback herring by any means other than by a hand-held and hand operated dip net with a diameter no greater than two and one-half feet (2 1/2') or by a seine not greater than four feet (4') deep by eight feet (8') long.

2.3 No person shall erect any artificial obstruction to fish passage in any stream or in any way alter the natural stream bottom to hinder the passage of fish.

2.4 No person shall place a seine or netting more than half way across any stream or mouth or outflow of any stream.

2.5 Any person taking an alewife or blueback herring must remove it from the pond or stream and keep it in his or her possession.

2.8 Fish Ladders

2.8.1 Trespass within or obstruction of the entrance or exit of any fish ladder in the state is prohibited.
2.8.2 For the purposes of regulating anadromous fishes, all fish ladders owned and operated by the state will be set aside as fish cultivation facilities pursuant to sections 20-12-1 and 20-12-5 of the General Laws of Rhode Island.
2.8.3 The areas below each fish ladder where fishing will be permitted shall be designated with an official boundary marker or informational sign.

2.9 Boundaries -- The defined boundaries for the freshwater and saltwater sections of Rhode Island's rivers and streams with regard to the areas where freshwater regulations apply are as follows:

Pawcatuck River -- the bridge crossing U.S. Route 1
Mastuxet Brook -- the point at which it empties into the Mastuxet Cove.
King Tom Pond outlet into Ninigret Pond -- the spillway at the south end of King Tom Pond.
Factory Pond outlet -- the seaward opening of the culvert under Teal Road.
Mill Pond outlet into Cards Pond -- the bridge on Moonstone [U]Beach Road crossing the west neck of Cards Pond
Smelt Brook -- the bridge closest to the outlet.
Saugatucket River -- the Main Street bridge in Wakefield.
Gilbert Stuart Brook -- the point at which it empties into the Pettaquamscutt River.
Wesquage Pond -- the culvert at the outlet to Bonnet Shores Beach.
Annaquatucket River -- the point at which it empties into Bissel Cove.
Cocumscussock Brook -- the bottom of the first riffle upstream of Wickford Cove.
Potowomut River -- the Forge Road spillway.
Maskerchugg River -- the Boston Post Road (U.S. Route 1) bridge.
Gorton Pond outlet -- the Centerville Road bridge.
Tuscatucket Brook -- the West Shore Road bridge.
Old Mill Creek -- entirely tidal.
Warner Brook -- the Draper Avenue bridge.
Buckeye Brook -- the West Shore Road bridge.
Lockwood Brook -- the West Shore Road bridge.
Spring Green Pond outlet -- the Warwick Avenue (R.I. Route 117A) bridge.
Pawtuxet River -- Narragansett spillway.
Woonasquatucket River -- the U.S. Route 1N bridge
Moshassuck River -- the point of confluence with the Woonasquatucket River.
Seekonk River -- the Main Street spillway.
Ten Mile River -- the Omega Pond spillway.
Annawomscutt Brook -- the Pilling Chain Company spillway on Bay Spring Avenue, Barrington.
Mussachuck Creek -- the bridge on Washington Road.
Runnins River -- the Mink Street (R.I. Route 114A) bridge.
Kickamuit River -- the Warren Reservoir spillway.
Sin and Flesh Brook -- the Highland Avenue bridge.
Nonquit Pond -- the bridge at Pond Bridge Road.
Pachet Brook -- the West Mail Road (R.I. Route 77) bridge.
Dunderry Brook -- the Swamp Road bridge.
Cold Brook -- the point at which it empties into Quicksand Pond.
Maidford River -- the Paradise Avenue bridge.
Goose Neck Cove -- entirely tidal
Lily Pond -- the outlet.
Almy Pond -- the outlet.
Prince Pond -- (Tiffany Pond), Barrington, East Side of Rt. 114 culvert.

[bloocrab]

You can check out that, and much more...just click on the link below.

R.I. DEM info page


The way I "read/understand" it, is ..as long as they're outside these boundaries...they're "Fair" catch, by any means possible...<<??>>

[Young Salt]

Bloo. from what you just posted, it looks like they allow it in salt but not fresh water.
2.1 Uses the words 'freshwater streams or rivers' So none of this applies for saltwater.
2.2 says you can't take herring in any other way than a dip net or seine...without mentioning darts or cast nets (which i've both seen used)
As for the boundries...they are the spot where the freshwater rules apply...meaning you have to buy the freshwater license....but as you said they don't seem to have ANY regulations to recreational fishermen in salt water.

[JohnR]

YS - it's a possesion thing. If you posses ANY herring aquired within the freshwater boundaries mentioned on that list, you are required to use a net and have a maximum of 24 on thespecified days - provided you have a FW permit. If you get your buckeys in any of those places on the freshwater sire of those demarcations you need to follow the freshwater rules...

[bloocrab]

John & others,.....

..you have to be careful out there. Different 'wardens' enforce the rules differently.

Best bet, check with your local "herring" enforcer, get his name or badge # and live by his rules.





...thats what I do

[Clammer]

I don,t know about all these rules
kinda just get them and run//

PS == I,ve caught hundreds of herring on shad dots & they wern,t hickery Shad , Have had the pleasure of quite a few American shad thou /////

there is a way of really smoking them on rod & reel ,but I don,t know if its legal/// not snagging//////////