What You'll Find at Fishermen's Memorial

Fishermen's Memorial State Park sits on Point Judith Road in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and gives you direct access to both freshwater and saltwater fishing within walking distance of your campsite. The park has 38 campsites spread across wooded terrain, a boat launch for the Point Judith Pond side, and easy walking access to the rocky shoreline where striped bass, bluefish, and scup move through depending on the season. Unlike some state parks that are primarily day-use only, this one lets you stay overnight and fish the tides that matter most — early morning and dusk — without a long drive back to your car.

The park's real advantage is location. You're sitting between Point Judith Pond (a brackish estuary) and the open Atlantic, which means you can fish different water types on the same trip. The pond holds stripers and weakfish in spring and fall. The ocean side produces bluefish and stripers in summer and fall, and winter flounder in the colder months if you're willing to fish from the rocks or launch a small boat.

Key Takeaways

  • Fishermen's Memorial has 38 campsites with direct access to Point Judith Pond and the Atlantic shoreline, so you can fish multiple water types without leaving the park.
  • The boat launch serves Point Judith Pond; ocean access is by foot from the rocky shore, which works well for stripers and bluefish but requires careful footing and awareness of tide and swell.
  • Reservations open in January for the full calendar year and fill quickly for summer weekends, so book early if you want July or August dates.
  • The park is open year-round, but most facilities and campsites operate May through October; winter camping is limited and requires confirmation with the park office.

Campsite Layout and What Each Area Offers

The 38 sites are divided into two loops. Loop A sits closer to the pond and boat launch; Loop B is set back in the woods and quieter but farther from the water. Most sites have a picnic table and fire ring, and a few have lean-to shelters if you want protection from rain without a full tent. There are no hookups — this is tent and RV camping without water or electric at individual sites — so bring what you need or plan to fill up at the park's central facilities.

Each site is roughly 20 to 30 feet across, which is tight if you have a large RV, but fine for a tent or a standard travel trailer. The park has a dump station near the entrance for RV waste, and potable water is available at spigots throughout the loops. Bathrooms are pit toilets in the off-season and flush toilets during the peak season (May through October).

If you're fishing the pond at dawn, Loop A puts you 200 yards from the launch. If you're targeting the ocean side, both loops are within a 10-minute walk of the rocky shore, but the terrain is uneven and the path is not maintained — wear good boots and bring a headlamp if you're going before sunrise.

Fishing the Pond and the Launch

Point Judith Pond is a shallow estuary with a sandy bottom and eelgrass beds. The boat launch is a single-lane concrete ramp at the park's south end, and it works for small boats, kayaks, and canoes. Parking is limited — maybe 15 to 20 spaces — so arrive early if you're launching on a weekend. The launch fee is included in your campsite reservation, so you don't pay twice.

Spring (April through May) is when striped bass move into the pond to feed on herring and sand eels. Fish the deeper channels near the launch and along the eastern shore where the bottom drops off. Weakfish show up in late May and stay through September; they prefer the shallower flats and respond well to small soft plastics and live shiners. Fall (September through October) brings another push of stripers as they move south, and this is often the most reliable time to catch numbers.

If you don't have a boat, you can fish the pond from the shore in a few spots, but the best access is from the launch area itself or from the eastern bank near the park entrance. Wading is possible along the sandy bottom in summer, but watch for soft spots and sudden drop-offs.

Fishing the Ocean Side and Rocky Shore

The Atlantic-facing side of the park is all rock and broken granite. This is where you'll find striped bass and bluefish in summer and fall, and it's also where you need to be careful. The rocks are slippery, the swell can be unpredictable, and there's no lifeguard. Fish the rocks only when conditions are calm and you have good light. Early morning and dusk are best, but don't stay after dark unless you know the terrain.

Stripers in this area are typically 18 to 28 inches and feed on sand eels and silversides. Use small plugs (2 to 3 inches), soft plastics rigged on light jigs, or live bait if you've caught shiners in the pond. Bluefish arrive in July and stay through October; they're aggressive and will hit almost anything, but they're also sharp-toothed, so use a wire bite leader or heavy mono.

Winter flounder fishing from the rocks is possible but requires patience and a low tide. Fish the deeper pockets and channels between the rocks with small jigs tipped with squid or clam. You won't catch many, but the ones you do are keepers.

Reservations and Timing

Reservations for Fishermen's Memorial open on the first business day of January each year through the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) website. You can reserve up to one year in advance. Summer weekends (June through August) book out within days, so if you want a specific weekend, be ready to reserve on opening day.

The park operates year-round, but full services (flush toilets, water, and all campsites open) run from May 1 through October 31. Winter camping is available November through April, but only a limited number of sites are open, and you'll need to call the park office at (401) 789-8374 to confirm availability and conditions. Winter is quieter and can be excellent for fishing, but weather is unpredictable and facilities are minimal.

Nightly rates vary by season. Peak season (June through August) is higher than shoulder season (May and September through October), and winter rates are lower. Check the DEM website for current pricing, as rates change annually.

What to Bring and What to Know

Bring your own drinking water or plan to fill containers at the park spigots. There's no camp store, so stock up on groceries and ice before you arrive. The nearest town is Narragansett itself, about 2 miles away, with a supermarket and tackle shops on Route 1A.

Firewood is available for purchase at the park office, or you can bring your own. Fires are allowed only in the fire rings at your site. The park has a strict quiet hours policy (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.), so keep noise down after dark.

Cell service is spotty in some areas of the park, so don't rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies. Bring a paper map or download offline maps before you arrive. The nearest hospital is South County Hospital in Wakefield, about 10 miles away.

Parking at the park is limited to one vehicle per campsite, so if you have a boat trailer, plan accordingly. The boat launch parking is separate from campsite parking and fills quickly on weekends.

Nearby Fishing and Other Options

If Fishermen's Memorial is full or you want to explore other water, Point Judith itself (the town, not the pond) has a public fishing pier and charter boat fleet. The pier is free to walk on and is good for stripers and bluefish in season. Several charter captains operate out of Point Judith Harbor and fish for stripers, bluefish, and offshore species depending on the time of year.

Galilee State Boat Launch, also in Point Judith, is a larger public launch with more parking and better facilities if you're bringing a bigger boat. It's about 2 miles from Fishermen's Memorial and serves the same waters.

If you want to camp elsewhere in the area, Burlingame State Park in Charlestown (about 15 miles west) has more campsites and freshwater fishing for largemouth bass and pickerel, though it doesn't have ocean access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish from my campsite or do I have to walk to the water?

You can't fish directly from most campsites, but the pond launch and ocean shore are within a short walk. Loop A sites are closest to the pond. The ocean side requires a 10-minute walk over uneven terrain, so plan accordingly if you're fishing before dawn.

Do I need a Rhode Island fishing license to fish here?

Yes. Rhode Island requires a saltwater fishing license for ocean fishing and a freshwater license for pond fishing. You can purchase licenses online through the DEM website or at tackle shops in Narragansett. Licenses are inexpensive and can be bought for a single day if you're just visiting.

Is the boat launch open year-round?

The launch operates during the park's full-service season (May through October). Winter access depends on conditions and park staffing. Call the park office to confirm before you arrive if you're planning a winter trip with a boat.

What's the best time of year to fish here?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are most reliable for stripers in the pond. Summer (July through August) is best for bluefish on the ocean side. Winter is quieter but colder and less predictable. Each season has different fish and different challenges.

Are there any restrictions on bait or tackle?

Rhode Island has standard regulations on size and bag limits for stripers, bluefish, and other species, but no special restrictions at this park. Check the current DEM fishing regulations before you go, as limits and seasons change annually.