Dear Rhode Island Hunter/Angler,
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) is committed to making outdoor recreation more accessible and better funded for future generations. As part of this effort, we are simplifying the sale of hunting and recreational freshwater fishing licenses, permits, stamps, and tags.
Starting February 19, all of these products will be available for purchase on the same date annually. – allowing you to conveniently plan for the season ahead.
The timing for the sale of trapping and saltwater fishing licenses will remain unchanged. Please note that the current 2024 freshwater fishing license and Trout Stamp will both still expire on February 28.
As dedicated outdoors enthusiasts, your contributions play a critical role in sustaining Rhode Island’s rich traditions of fishing, hunting, and conservation. The user pay/public benefit model – means every dollar raised is matched with $3 in federal funding, meaning your contribution directly enhances DFW’s ability to support outdoor recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, and boating across RI. where license fees matched by federal dollars are reinvested into wildlife management and outdoor access – has successfully funded habitat restoration, public land maintenance, and the preservation of our conservation, hunting, and shooting heritage.
Beginning July 1, 2025, a modest fee increase will take effect for hunting, trapping, and freshwater fishing licenses, permits, stamps, and tags.
This is the second step in a gradual adjustment, enacted by the General Assembly in the fiscal year 2022 budget and is the first broad increase since 2003. The increase will be up to $5 per license for residents and up to $15 per license for non-residents, although some tags are only increasing by $1. Fees for disabled, senior (65+), and saltwater fishing licenses are not included in this increase and will remain unchanged. These increases are expected to generate over $185,000 annually through 2027, and over $300,000 per year beginning in 2028 after the third increase.
Hunters and freshwater anglers can still purchase licenses, permits, stamps, and tags at the current price from Feb. 19 until June 30 by using DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) online licensing system at RIO.ri.gov and at local sales agents.
These increases are expected to generate over $185,000 annually through 2027, and over $300,000 per year beginning in 2028 after the third increase. Even more importantly, every dollar raised is matched with $3 in federal funding, meaning your contribution directly enhances DFW’s ability to support outdoor recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, and boating across RI.
We thank you for your continued commitment to Rhode Island’s fish and wildlife conservation. Your support today will support future generations of hunters and anglers to come!