Rhode Island charges seven dollars a year for saltwater and twenty-four for freshwater, which tells you where the state’s fishing actually happens. The seven-day option at five dollars is close enough to the annual that anyone visiting twice should just buy the year. Unlike the freshwater licence, the saltwater one is not cheaper online.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every Rhode Island saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational saltwater, seven days | Either | 7 days | $5.00 |
| Recreational saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Recreational saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $10.00 |
Fees verified against RI DEM on 2026-09-11. The DEM site blocks automated access, so the fees cited are from the eRegulations edition of the official Rhode Island fishing abstract.
What it covers, and what it does not
The recreational saltwater licence covers the marine waters: Narragansett Bay, the salt ponds and the ocean. It does not cover the freshwater ponds and streams, which need the separate freshwater licence that expires at the end of February.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full Rhode Island licence page.
Where to use it
We track 7 saltwater waters in Rhode Island daily, with live tides and conditions:
- Narragansett — Washington County
- Block Island — Washington County
- Point Judith — Washington County
- Ninigret Pond — Washington County
- Sakonnet River — Newport County
- Wickford Harbor — Washington County
- Greenwich Bay — Kent County
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in Rhode Island?
$7.00 for a resident and $10.00 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a Rhode Island freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. Rhode Island sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
How much is a Rhode Island saltwater fishing licence?
$7.00 a year for a resident and $10.00 for a visitor, with a seven-day option at $5.00.
Do I need both licences to fish Rhode Island?
If you fish the salt ponds and the freshwater ponds, yes. They are separate licences with separate expiry dates.