New Scup, 'Porgies' Fishing Program To Launch in Tiverton

The Department of Environmental Management has approved an experimental shore-mode, scup fishery program for Rhode Island to increase fishing opportunities for all recreational fishermen and fisherwomen. 

The program will allow people to fish for and retain smaller-sized scup from shore at three locations, including Stone Bridge in Tiverton.

While the new statewide minimum size for scup is 10 inches, the minimum size at the three shore-fishing sites is now 9 inches. 

Scup found in the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay tend to be smaller than those found along the south coast, so the reduced minimum size will enable those fishing at the three locations to take home more fish. 

Scup – a popular, mild-tasting fish also known as a “porgies” – are abundant in Rhode Island waters and relatively easy to catch from shore.

The new regulations also allows for an increased daily possession limit – 30 fish per person per day, up from 20 fish last year – and a statewide decrease in the minimum size (applicable everywhere except the three experimental shore sites) to 10 inches, down from 10.5 inches last year.

According to Robert Ballou, assistant to DEM Director Coit, the scup population is at “a peak level of abundance, and not overfished” thanks to steady management of the resource.

Where are the best places to fish for scup in Tiverton? Tell us in the comment section below!