RI Trout Unlimited and DEM Fund Breakheart Pond Dam Removal Project

Rhode Island Trout Unlimited and the state Department of Environmental Management have been awarded a $190,000 SNEP 2024 grant for their joint project: Engineering for the Removal of Breakheart Pond Dam in the Arcadia Management Area in Richmond.

“We can proudly say that with this grant, along with grants from the Coastal Resource Management Council, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and in-kind donations from RIDEM and like-minded organizations, we now have over $350,000 to assess and permit the removal of Breakheart Dam,” said Glenn Place, president of the local Trout Unlimited chapter.

More: DEM officials say 15 percent of those fishing in Rhode Island waters do so without a proper license.

More: Tautogas are plentiful these days in Rhode Island waters. Here’s how to get them in the boat.

Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery closed

The general category commercial bluefin tuna fishery will be closed from September 12 to 30. Based on the best available landing information, the September quota of 188.3 metric tonnes is expected to be reached and exceeded shortly.

This closure affects authorized Atlantic tuna general category vessels and authorized highly migratory species charter/lead vessels with a commercial sales approval when fishing for commercial bluefin tuna.

Commercial fishermen on vessels holding a General Category Atlantic Tuna Licence or a Highly Migratory Species/Leader Vessel Licence may not retain, possess or land large, medium or giant Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The restricted fishing days previously designated for the remainder of the September period will be removed when this closure takes effect.

Note: Recreational fishing license holders are not affected by this closure.

General category bluefin tuna fishing will automatically reopen on October 1.

Shellfish Advisory Committee Meeting Scheduled for September 18

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council will hold its Shellfish Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 18, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The committee makes recommendations on shellfish policy regarding recreational and commercial fishing regulations to the Fisheries Council.

Agenda items include shellfish harvest seasons for Greenwich Bay, Bissel Cove/Fox Island, and Bristol Harbor; DEM Office of Water Resources, Shellfish Program Water Quality Update, for informational purposes only or recommendation for future agenda items; and Providence River SMA 2024 Harvest Summary Update, for informational purposes only or recommendation for future agenda items.

For more details on the agenda and general information, visit the division’s calendar page, September 18 at Public Meeting Calendar | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (ri.gov).

This meeting will be held in person for panel members and those who wish to attend in person at the URI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute, Hazard Room, South Ferry Road, Narragansett.

The Zoom webinar link for the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85940205762?pwd=ARLF8SzQnRPyEpTDrhmymX1DQb0RMS.1 (us02web.zoom.us).

The dial-in number to participate in the meeting in listen-only mode is 1-929-205-6099.

Where is the bite?

Fresh water. The largemouth bass bite is good at night when it is cooler and during the day in the lower water column because the water is warm at the surface. This situation changes as the water cools.

Striped bass, tassergal, bonito“Customers are now catching catfish and schooling bass in the bay,” said Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle in Warwick. “One angler caught two 35-inch striped bass south of Hope Island and bass have also been caught in the East Passage. We’ve also had a good bonito bite in the Sakonnet River this week.” Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown reported, “Mixed reports of bonito and false albacore showing up along the south shore all the way to Block Island. Various colored epoxy jigs and metals seem to be working well. There is still a higher volume of bonito than albies. Striped bass are moving around chasing bait. Some larger fish are being caught in the pond. They have been eating soft plastics and topwater ghosts. Eels at night still seem to be producing well.” Around Charlestown Breachway, the bite is best at night. Schools of bass have been seen crossing during the day. Bait is everywhere: rain bait, silversides, peanut bunker, bunker, mullet, snapper and more. “East End” Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Mackerel, squid and bunker provide abundant food for striped bass preparing for the southward migration. Most of the striped bass caught recently have swum on an easterly tide and are described as fat. “Paulie the Painter” Gravina and Tim “Hollywood” Petracca have caught nearly 20 bass up to 35 inches on a variety of lures at all levels of the water column. Popular lures this week included the Bill Hurley Canal Killer, Al Gags paddle tail jig, Yo-Zuri jerkbait and Striper Gear Rocket.”

Summer flounder, black sea bass and scup. Black bass fishing off Newport has been good this week, with decent-sized fish caught in the Rose Island area, Brenton Reef and off the Sakonnet River. “The flounder reports have held up this week, with anglers still doing well locally with a few nice-sized fish over 5 pounds,” O’Donnell reported.

Tautogue. Fisherman John Migliori of Aquidneck Island caught a 21-inch, 7.46-pound tautog last week from shore. It was his first fish of the year. Olson said, “Kayak fisherman Tom Houle continues to fish for tautog off Jamestown and Wickford.”

Bluefin tuna. Giant bluefin tuna fishing has exploded this week. “The giant bluefin bite is crazy,” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina in South Kingstown. “Several fish were caught in the Gully, Habbs Ledge in Butterfish Hole and (Wednesday) several giants were caught just 2 miles off Scarbrough Beach, Narragansett. The fish were feeding behind the trawlers as they hauled in their nets. They were feeding on Atlantic menhaden. We had three giants weighed in at our dock at the same time Wednesday afternoon. The fish caught this week have been all sizes, with the largest being in the 800-plus pound range.” O’Donnell said, “The tuna reports have been good for those that have been able to get out. There are still a good amount of bluefin in the vicinity with a few larger ones around. The yellowfin have been on the periphery where anglers have occasionally hooked them.” Mahi can be found on high flying fish and around floating debris.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s license and a charter fishing license. He serves on various boards and commissions and owns a consulting business focused on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy and fishing-related issues and clients. Send fishing news and photos to [email protected] or visit noflukefishing.com.

This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal: RI Trout Unlimited, DEM land funds Breakheart Dam removal project