RHODE ISLAND

Freshwater bass fishing in Rhode Island is often overshadowed by the state’s super saltwater angling. Certainly most visitors head to the Ocean State to chase striped bass instead of largemouth bass, but this coming season would be a great time for anglers to discover the state’s inland bass fisheries.

“We’ve been stocking sub-adult largemouth bass off and on for the past five years,” said Phil Edwards, the primary fisheries biologist for the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife. “It’s still too early to tell if the stocking program will help, but angler catch rates were up and I assume it will be a good year.”

According to Edwards, the division has been stocking 8- to 12-inch largemouth bass into Wilson Pond, Echo Lake, Watchaug Lake, Tiogue Lake and Tucker Pond. Golden shiners were also added to these lakes for added forage. The reason for the stockings was to supplement some low population densities biologists discovered during electro-shocking surveys and creel studies.

If you could only fish one time in Rhode Island this summer, Edwards recommends Watchaug Pond in Charlestown.

“You can catch some nice fish in Watchaug,” Edwards said. “There is plenty of public access and a campground as well.”

This lake has both largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Wilson Reservoir is Edwards’ sleeper pick for the coming season. It is a small pond that is often overlooked by state anglers, but the lake does offer some quality bass action, he said.

Bass fishing regulations are similar to Massachusetts’, with a 12-inch length limit and five-fish creel limit.

Rhode Island’s resident fishing license costs $9.50 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $31 for the season or $16 for a three-day permit.

For more fishing information, contact the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 222-3576. For more trip-planning information, call (800) 556-2484.

VERMONT

Vermont is literally fenced on three sides by supreme bass-fishing waters. What a “welcome” mat for anglers crossing into its borders! In between, anglers will find over 500 lakes and ponds worthy of visiting.

The best place to start the upcoming season forecast is the border waters. Lake Champlain on the western side of the state offers over 110 miles of the country’s best bass lakes. Professional anglers from all over the world come to this lake for tournaments because 3-pound bass are commonplace.

According to scouting reports, the fishing should be as good or better than in previous years. If you only have a few days to spend in Vermont, visit Lake Champlain.

Lake Memphremagog separates part of northern Vermont with Canada. This border lake is one of the state’s sleepers because of the isolated nature of the state’s Northeast Kingdom. Fishermen who are willing to make the trip north should have great success because the region’s smallmouth bass population is healthy.

Finally, the Connecticut River blocks the eastern part of the state, separating it from New Hampshire. The river is expected to produce plenty of good fishing for the upcoming season.

Vermont currently manages its bass through regulations designed to protect adult spawning stock. These regulations are consistent with neighboring New Hampshire and New York, and they are preserving the state’s wonderful bass fishery. The season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open from the second Saturday in June through Nov. 30. During this period, anglers may keep five bass. A special catch-and-release season runs from the second Saturday in April through the Friday before the regular open bass-fishing season.

A Vermont resident fishing license costs $20 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $41 for the season, $15 for a one-day permit, $20 for a three-day permit or $30 for a seven- day license. There is a special youth license for anglers between the ages of 15 and 17 — $8 for resident youths and $15 for non-resident youths.

For more fishing information, call the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at (802) 241-3700. For tourist information, call (800) 837-6668.