Rhode Island fishing reports

Striper migration reaches Narragansett Bay as water cools to 47°F

Fresh waves of striped bass are moving into southern New England, with water temperatures holding at 47–48°F across NOAA buoys 44097 and 44085 in Narragansett Bay. Per On The Water, the first wave of migratory fish has reached Rhode Island, following a broader Northeast striper push that The Fisherman reports is in rapid expansion phase—quality bass to the mid-30-inch class are now common in adjacent waters like Buzzards Bay. Moderate swells of 3–5.6 feet add texture to the bay, typical for late April. This is prime timing for targeting fresh migrators along rip lines and shallow structures before the main May push.