Rhode Island fishing reports
38 reports for Rhode Island — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Stripers Hot on Squid Around Block Island as Fluke Grind Continues
The Saltwater Edge reports excellent striped bass action on squid in Rhode Island waters, with the most consistent bite locked to early-morning and late-evening low-light windows. Tony Guarino of Booked Off Charters described striper fishing as 'excellent' on trips not canceled by mid-week winds and rough Saturday seas. Snug Harbor Marina points to Block Island as the spot for larger fish, with local Bay action solid but Block the clear destination for size. Fluke has been the frustrating counterpoint: Booked Off is seeing only around a dozen keepers per trip, and the Frances Fleet reports fishing running behind schedule for late June despite large schools of sand eels and squid on the grounds. On the positive side, black sea bass are on the uptick along beaches, and scup are showing in good numbers — the Frances Fleet also notes a growing mix of keeper sea bass among the fluke, a promising sign.
Narragansett Bay Stripers Shift to Summer Patterns on Sand Eels
On The Water's June 19 striper migration map reports that bigger bass across the Northeast are concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns — a shift that historically pulls through Narragansett Bay's rip lines and rocky structure by the third week of June. OTW Surfcasting cautions that the picture varies sharply by location: striper fishing 'can feel as good as it's ever been — or as tough as it's been in years — depending on where you're standing,' making local knowledge and tide timing decisive. No live buoy or gauge data was available for this report, so water temperature and current readings could not be confirmed; check NOAA's Narragansett Bay stations before launching. Fluke and black sea bass are typical mid-summer additions to the Bay's target list, and bluefish may push into surface blitzes alongside stripers wherever bait schools concentrate.
Stripers and Squid Running Strong as Narragansett Bay Stays Cool
Per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI)'s June New Moon forecast, the second half of June is delivering across the board for Rhode Island anglers. Water temperatures have stayed cooler than normal for late June, and that cold-water window is keeping both the striper bite and the squid fishery firing. Saltwater Edge calls both "fantastic" with no signs of slowing, and notes the cool stretch could hold for another couple of weeks. On The Water's June 19 Striper Migration Map adds that bigger bass are now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns. For Narragansett Bay anglers, the First Quarter moon brings moderate tidal pulls, solid conditions for structure fishing during tide transitions. Bonito and false albacore are not yet on scene; a Saltwater Edge post this week details the failed 2026 RI proposal to add guardrails for both species, leaving no bag limits currently in place.
Stripers and Squid Both Rolling as Cool Water Holds in Narragansett Bay
Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) kicked off the second half of June with a clear verdict: both striped bass and squid fishing have been 'fantastic' in Rhode Island, and neither bite is showing signs of slowing. Cool water temperatures are the driving factor. Saltwater Edge notes surface temps have been holding lower than typical for mid-June, a condition that benefits both species and is expected to continue for another couple of weeks. On The Water adds a notable wrinkle: underwater footage from guide Chris McIntee shows brown sharks actively moving through striper schools in Southern New England, a reminder that big-fish anglers should plan accordingly. The OTW Saltwater migration report from June 16 highlights summer baitfish patterns and the June moons as key shaping factors, with a direct recommendation to beef up terminal tackle when into 30-plus-pound bass. With the new moon arriving June 17, strong tidal swings are setting up prime early-morning windows across the bay.
RI Stripers and Squid Both Running Hot Around the June New Moon
Per Saltwater Edge's June new moon forecast, both striped bass and squid fishing out of Rhode Island have been "fantastic" and are "not showing signs of slowing down." Water temperatures in the Bay have been running cool for the season, which is keeping both species active and local rather than pushing them north ahead of schedule. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain spread from New Jersey to Maine, with the new moon's big tidal swings expected to keep pushing fish and bait toward summer spots. The squid bite, in particular, has been a standout, though Saltwater Edge notes it may ease as water temperatures eventually climb. With conditions favoring multiple inshore species simultaneously, the week of the June new moon is shaping up as one of the better mid-summer fishing windows Rhode Island anglers will see.
Stripers and Squid Running Hot as Narragansett Bay Hits Peak June Form
Saltwater Edge (RI) is calling both the striper and squid bite "fantastic" heading into this week's new moon, with cool water temperatures showing no signs of warming quickly enough to slow either down. Per the Saltwater Edge June new moon forecast, that thermal pattern may hold for another couple of weeks, giving anglers targeting both species in Narragansett Bay a long productive window. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map places bass spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, and notes that the new moon coupled with building tidal swings should continue pushing fish and bait toward summer feeding zones. Saltwater Edge notes that the second half of June is typically when Rhode Island's full suite of options comes online, and by local accounts, conditions are tracking to deliver. Squid action has been particularly strong, though it will taper as water temperatures eventually climb through the summer.
Stripers and Squid Running Strong as New Moon Hits Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is delivering on two fronts this week. Per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI), both the striped bass fishing and squid fishing have been 'fantastic' heading into the June new moon, with neither showing signs of letting up. Cool water temperatures have persisted longer than usual this season, a condition Saltwater Edge notes is keeping both fisheries productive well past their typical peak window. The new moon arrived June 15, and On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain spread from New Jersey to Maine, noting that 'new moon and big tides this weekend should continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts.' The second half of June traditionally opens additional options in Rhode Island waters, making this a strong window to be on the water. No NOAA buoy readings were logged for this report cycle; water temperature is reported qualitatively as cooler than average for mid-June.
Squid Run Holds Strong as Stripers Cruise Narragansett Bay
Water temperatures in the mid-50s (per Frances Fleet) have held the squid bite unusually strong for mid-June. Chris at The Saltwater Edge reported a very good week of squid fishing around the islands and out front along the beaches, with cooler-than-normal water keeping the run from tapering off as it typically would. Striper fishing is holding up well alongside it. Big fish have been working the bay and around the islands, with schoolies mixed in. Tony Guarino of Booked Off Charters confirmed solid striped bass and black sea bass action, though he flagged fluke as off to a very slow start. Frances Fleet echoed that assessment, noting fluke are behind where they should be for this time of year, but that plenty of bait on the grounds should set up a strong bite when fish do arrive. Sand eels have pushed into the bay in numbers, with birds, bass, and blues actively chasing them per The Saltwater Edge.
Stripers and Squid Both Hot as New Moon Tides Hit Narragansett Bay
Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports that both striped bass and squid fishing have been "fantastic" heading into the June new moon, with neither bite showing signs of slowing. Rhode Island water temperatures have been running cooler than typical for mid-June — a condition Saltwater Edge describes as favorable for keeping the striper bite strong and squid concentrated in the bay. The new moon falls today (June 14), and On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides expected to push bait and fish into summer haunts. For Narragansett Bay, this is a high-percentage window: squid are actively feeding and bass are responding to big tidal exchanges along rip edges and current seams. No NOAA buoy readings were available at publication; verify tides and wind locally before launching.
Stripers Running Bay-Wide as New Moon Tides Build
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new-moon tides pushing fish and bait into summer feeding stations. Narragansett Bay sits squarely in this corridor. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) documented a strong late-May window fueled by a full moon and cold front, with fish from the south continuing to replenish northbound migrants, a pattern that typically carries well into mid-June. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report, so surface water temperatures remain unconfirmed. Squid are also making headlines: On The Water recently covered massive squid schools chasing baitfish along Cape Cod and beaching themselves in the process, a signal that active forage is moving up the coast. Anglers planning to fish the Bay this weekend should prioritize tidal rips and structure around the new moon window.
Squid Invasion Fires Narragansett Bay Stripers and Fluke Into High Gear
Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reported the bay loaded with life through late May, with big stripers crushing big baits all over Rhode Island — and that energy has carried into June. The Fisherman's June 11 regional forecast describes a squid invasion "with no equal," stretching from Fishers Island to Cape Cod and placing Narragansett Bay directly in the action. Squid are triggering hard bites on stripers, fluke, and sea bass throughout the corridor, with stripers to 49 inches reported at the Cape Cod Canal. Saltwater Edge also flagged tautog returning to life and weakfish beginning to show in decent numbers, both of which typically peak in Narragansett Bay through June. For big bass, eel-like soft plastics and live eels on structure have stood out across regional reports. The waning crescent moon this week reduces overnight tidal influence, often pushing fish into shallower structure during low-light hours.
Squid and Bunker Fuel Narragansett Bay Striper Action in Early June
Shortfin squid arrived in southern New England in early June, adding another forage trigger on top of bunker, mackerel, and sea herring already in the water. OTW Saltwater's June 9 striper migration report confirmed the baitfish-driven striper bite was improving across the region. For Narragansett Bay specifically, Saltwater Edge Blog reported in late May that the bay was 'loaded with life,' with big bass crushing big baits all over Rhode Island as conditions stabilized after a stretch of wind. Tautog came to life around the same window, and weakfish began showing in decent numbers. Per Saltwater Edge, both are welcome additions to the spring species mix. The 2026 Striper Cup is now underway per OTW Surfcasting, marking the season in full stride. No live buoy data is available for this update, so exact water temperatures are not reported here. Check local buoys and tide charts before heading out.