Information for Rhode Island and surrounding area fisherman

[Bassnajr]

Hello all...

I have gotten some more information from the R.I.D.E.M. regarding launching, using, boats with motors over 9.9 HP. The D.E.M. gives specifics about what is allowed at what ramps. I also have been given a book with VERY SIMPLE topo maps (depths basically) of all the ponds and lakes in Rhode Island and fish information for all the ponds and lakes as well. If any one wants a specific map or a copy of the "9.9 HP Rules", PM me and I'll do my best to get them to you.

bassnajr

bassnajr

[Tin]

About the 9.9 Ponds: This has been an issue for a few years now. There are tourneys on these 9.9 HP lakes all summer long with Ranger z20's and the correct permits. It is rule that is rarely enforced.

Remember Alan, it is RHODE ISLAND. :

[Bassnajr]

Your right tin,

I just don't see how they can enforce the law differently pond by pond and officer by officer. Doesn't make sense.

ajr

[Tin]

If I remember correctly, the arguement brought up was that it was our tax $$ paying for these ramps so they couldn't say no.

[=Matt 5.0=]

So I can drag Tin's Tracker down to Echo Lake and not get hassled. Even tho my best friends parents have a house on the water? Yeah, then again...we sneak into places with the Crawdacious so I ain't skeered. LOL  ;D

[Bassnajr]

I'm going to steal my brothers canoe this week for places even the Bassraider can't get at!!! (which ain't too many places!!)

Crazy thing Matt..if you have someone that lives on any lake or pond in RI and can gain access to the water via private property, use can launch and USE any size motor!! It's just screwed up, but like tin says, this is Rhode Island, "The Corruption...I mean Ocean State!!"

ajr

[Guest muddy]

So If RI is basically the size of a gnat's A** then the surrounding area would be the Gnat

[=Matt 5.0=]

Who let you in here?  

[Bassnajr]

Isn't Connecticut the gnats a%%?????

[Guest muddy]

I stand, oh make that sit CORRECTED ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Your right tin,

I just don't see how they can enforce the law differently pond by pond and officer by officer. Doesn't make sense.

ajr

They choose different lakes to patrol on different days.  All ramps have a sign posted regarding max HP.  Get caught using a boat on that lake that exceeds the max and you will be fined and removed.

If I remember correctly, the arguement brought up was that it was our tax $$ paying for these ramps so they couldn't say no.

Your taxes also pay for the roads but you can't run a dragster down I95.  Laws have to be followed.

So I can drag Tin's Tracker down to Echo Lake and not get hassled. Even tho my best friends parents have a house on the water?   ;D

Echo is different.  Your friends have to have a private ramp.  The law (at Echo anyway.  we researched this place hard, my buddy owns the 10 acre island in the middle but the land under the water is privately owned-an odd situation) at Echo applies to the ramp, not the lake.  You can launch any size boat from private property because the lake itself is privately owned but the ramp is state owned.  The laws apply to the usage of the ramp, not the lake.

BUT, this does not apply at ANY lake as stated below.

Crazy thing Matt..if you have someone that lives on any lake or pond in RI and can gain access to the water via private property, use can launch and USE any size motor!!

This only applies to privately owned water with state access(I know,...only in RI,lol).  

Example: Ponagansett Reservoir- You cannot even have a motor on the boat.  Doesn't matter if prop is removed or if it was launched from private land.  You want to see a hefty fine?  Bring gasoline to Ponagansett.  (and this place doesn't even have a ramp, it's all private access.  D.E.M. does not have patrol here but they have arrest powers via the Providence water supply board. RI has lots of different laws for different types of bodies.  They are confusing and sometimes conflicting.  Find the lake you want to use and research it independently.

Alan- Is that book called "Fisheries investigations and management in RI lakes and ponds"?

If so, be aware that those topos are from 1959.  The one for Ponagansett is WAY off but ok as a rough reference.  

If it is a different book, could I get the name from you please?

BTW boys, BPS in a few weeks?  something to do.....

[Bassnajr]

I think LBH just made my point for me....

The rules should be the same on every body of water, private or not, day or night, new DEM officer or older DEM officer...

The DEM officer I talked to said that the officers themselves are sick of this nonsense. The laws are antiquated and need to be changed. Their own rules and regs. are confusing!! Remember the ramps that were put in with federal grant money have there own set of rules. The officer I met was at the boat show in Providence and she seemed very cool. She was the one who told me about entering any body of water from private property being O.K. That's not me saying that, that was her. She also said a younger DEM officer will tend to be more "picky" then a veteran. As far as researching each pond or lake, that's where (IMHO) the DEM has to come into the 2000's. It's not like "only children fish for trout in Frosty Hollow Pond", it's "OK where are we going today, get the rule book out, no not there, you can launch but can't use the motor, which DEM officer patrols this area?"...come on!!

Rember,private lake or not, when stuff happens on those bodies of water, the local "cops" call...THE D.E.M.!!!

[Tin]

You can launch from Echo with a outboard and run it just not between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend.

About the whole "launching and hauling from ramps" rule, if they enforced it, we would only have 6 lakes in the state to fish, well I would anyway, lol.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

You can launch from Echo with a outboard and run it just not between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend.

About the whole "launching and hauling from ramps" rule, if they enforced it, we would only have 6 lakes in the state to fish, well I would anyway, lol.

Exactly.  That's why I think it's kind of crazy to own a $50,000 bass boat if you live in RI.  We are "The Ocean State", spend that money on a saltwater boat and get a good jon or small tin boat for the freshwater (my opinion of course)

You are correct about Echo but there is a  RAMP max hp of either 9.9 or 25, not sure.  most boats on that lake are full blown 200hp+ boats.  They are in trouble if caught "on the ramp".  Once in the water, as long as they have the name of one of the residents that owns a ramp, they are good.  Another way around it is the Echo Lake Campground.  They have a ramp.  Many just say they are from the campground and are left alone.  Echo is one of the few places where you can consistently see D.E.M enforcement in action.  They usually leave the registere3d tourny's alone but any holiday weekend, you KNOW they will be there.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I think LBH just made my point for me....

The rules should be the same on every body of water, private or not, day or night, new DEM officer or older DEM officer...

The DEM officer I talked to said that the officers themselves are sick of this nonsense. The laws are antiquated and need to be changed. Their own rules and regs. are confusing!! Remember the ramps that were put in with federal grant money have there own set of rules. The officer I met was at the boat show in Providence and she seemed very cool. She was the one who told me about entering any body of water from private property being O.K. That's not me saying that, that was her. She also said a younger DEM officer will tend to be more "picky" then a veteran. As far as researching each pond or lake, that's where (IMHO) the DEM has to come into the 2000's. It's not like "only children fish for trout in Frosty Hollow Pond", it's "OK where are we going today, get the rule book out, no not there, you can launch but can't use the motor, which DEM officer patrols this area?"...come on!!

Rember,private lake or not, when stuff happens on those bodies of water, the local "cops" call...THE D.E.M.!!!

Dude, I think you met my ex g/f.  Was her name Alisha? (DEM officer) About my height, brown hair, thin........

I dumped her when she was hired by DEM and got a permit to carry,.... ;D

She pulled over my buddy Kevin on the bay about 4-5 months later and BAGGED him hard for being over limit on the Haugs,lol.  She recognized him from being around my house and let him have it,..... :

[Bassnajr]

She was bigger than you and blondish...

[Bassnajr]

LBH...

That is the name of the book. About all it's good for is to show where the deeper "holes"/areas are but it was nice of her to send it anyway.

ajr

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Dude,....that book is SOLID GOLD!  It's just not dead on accurate, that's all

Obtaining that book is like finding a Steez at a yard sale for $10

ps- Not her but that's ok, I just remembered her name was Sheila, not Alisha,..lol,...I'm bad  :

[Bassnajr]

WOW!!

She sent me two of them....hmmm??

alan

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

One for your partner

Give it a few yrs, Mine is all tattered and dirty.  Coffee stained, burnt and soiled.  It's a treasure.

Look at the inside front coverpage, mine is a 5th printing, 2000.  Yours?

The book is still the same as the 4th printing though, if you look at the graphs and charts in the back, the actual survey dates are all from the 50's.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Any good maps of Wallum in that there book?

[Bassnajr]

Matt,

Yes, but very basic. If you want, I can mail you a copy. PM me with an address.

Alan

[=Matt 5.0=]

Is it this one?

[Bassnajr]

YUP!

[=Matt 5.0=]

LOL, Thanx! Need to find some 70' deep diving cranks for spring! LMAO.