Just a short week ago, most of the ponds and lakes in RI had 8 to 12 inches of ice on them. Today, most of that ice was gone as I was fishing in totally ice free water. Most bodies of water fouth of Providence are now ice free. Further north, ice still exists in some places.
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| A good size common comes to the net today. The carp were active in ice free water that I fished, a sure sign that spring is here! |
Today, spring was in the air with temperatures in the mid fifties. Upon arriving at my spot, I noticed a carp rooting in the water in front of me. I also noticed a few bubble trails. So there was excitement and hope that I'd get something today.
I casted out my two rods and set them on my banksticks armed with bite alarms. About an hour into it, one of the rods started jumping, a sure sign of a carp take. I was soon on and within a minute or two I had a chunky 13 lb. common in the net. A bit later in the day I had fish number 2, another common in the low teens. Both hit a combo bait of maize and a white artificial corn on the hair rig.
While the calendar says we are still in winter, disappearing ice and open water says spring is here. And certainly, the fact that the carp are active and hitting REALLY says spring is here.
Note several unique laws regarding spring fishing for carp here in RI. First off, you need a new, 2025 license after March 1st here in RI if you plan to go fishing. Second, any bodies of water that are stocked with trout are off limits to carp fishing and all other types of fishing until the second Saturday in April (opening day of trout fishing). Finally, if you do fish for carp in trout stocked waters, the use of corn is prohibited.
