Rhode Island tautog bag jumps to five fish starting Oct. 15

Rhode Island DEM marine fisheries minimum sizes and possession limits, revised Oct. 13, 2026, raise the recreational tautog bag on Oct. 15. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 14 the limit is three fish per person per day. From Oct. 15 through Dec. 31 it is five fish per person per day. Party and charter boats follow the same stepped limits.

The minimum size stays 16 inches. Only one fish may be greater than 21 inches, and no more than 10 fish per vessel are allowed during any period. The Fisherman reported on Oct. 12, 2026, that Rhode Island and Massachusetts bags increase to five fish on Oct. 15.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: RI DEM — Marine fisheries minimum sizes and possession limits (Rev. 10/13/2026). Also: The Fisherman — blackfish limits increase in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (Oct. 12, 2026).