Tautog Fishing in Rhode Island
When tautog are caught across Rhode Island, season by season, from NOAA’s recreational catch survey (2024).
Tautog catch through the year
Recreational catch in Rhode Island by two-month season. The peak window is highlighted.
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Seasonal catch, tides, and the day's conditions worth knowing for your spots, plus the occasional PATHR update. No spam.
Catching tautog in Rhode Island
Tautog catches in Rhode Island run hardest around Sep-Oct, with the strongest two-month windows in Sep-Oct and Nov-Dec. Anglers keep about 15% of what they catch and release the rest. All of this comes from NOAA’s recreational catch survey, so it maps the season rather than any single day.
To turn the season into a trip, line the peak window up with the daily bite. Check the Rhode Island fishing times for the solunar windows, the tide charts for moving water, and the sunrise and sunset times for first and last light.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to catch tautog in Rhode Island?+
Catches peak around Sep-Oct (September and October). The strongest two-month windows are Sep-Oct and Nov-Dec. This is based on NOAA's 2024 recreational catch survey, so it reflects the typical season rather than a live report.
Do anglers keep or release tautog in Rhode Island?+
Across Rhode Island, about 15% of the tautog caught are kept and 85% are released. That works out to roughly 554K kept and 3.2M released in 2024.
How many tautog are caught in Rhode Island?+
NOAA's survey estimated about 3.7M tautog caught by recreational anglers in Rhode Island in 2024, making it the #3 most-caught species in the state. Survey estimates, so read them as the shape of the season.
Where does this tautog data come from?+
NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), 2024 estimates. Courtesy: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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