What You'll Find at Chepiwanoxet Point

Chepiwanoxet Point is a small, sheltered cove on the west side of Warwick that holds striped bass and flounder year-round, with the best action in spring and fall. The point itself juts into Greenwich Bay, creating a natural break where current slows and baitfish pile up—exactly where stripers hunt. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, which flounder prefer, and the shallow water (8 to 14 feet at high tide) makes it accessible to small boats and kayaks without a long run from the ramp.

Access is straightforward: you can launch at Warwick City Park on Buttonwoods Avenue, about a mile south of the point, or at Conimicut Point to the north. The paddle or short motor is calm water, and the cove itself is protected from ocean swell. This is not a destination for big stripers—most run 18 to 26 inches—but it is reliable, and the flounder fishing can be excellent when the tide moves.

Key Takeaways

  • Chepiwanoxet Point holds striped bass and flounder in a shallow, protected cove that works well for kayaks and small boats.
  • Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) produce the most consistent action, with summer and winter fishing possible but slower.
  • Launch at Warwick City Park on Buttonwoods Avenue or Conimicut Point; the paddle to the point is less than a mile in calm water.
  • Fish the slack water on either side of the point during tide changes, and work the deeper edge (12 to 14 feet) on the flood.
  • Live mackerel or herring works best for stripers; small squid or live sand eels draw flounder on the bottom.

Spring and Fall: Peak Seasons at the Point

April through May and September through October are when Chepiwanoxet Point fishes hardest. In spring, stripers move into the shallows to feed after winter, and the cove's protected water and baitfish concentration make it a natural gathering spot. You'll see the most activity on the incoming tide, when water pushes through the point and baitfish get compressed against the shallows. Flounder move in during the same window, and the sand bottom warms enough to hold them steady.

Fall fishing mirrors spring: stripers are feeding hard before they leave the bay, and flounder are still active. The water is clearer in fall, which can make stripers more cautious, so lighter tackle and smaller baits often outfish heavier rigs. Both seasons reward early morning and late afternoon fishing; midday action slows unless the tide is moving hard.

Summer and Winter: Slower but Fishable

Summer (June through August) sees the water warm and stripers move deeper or leave the bay entirely for cooler water offshore. Flounder remain, but they scatter into deeper channels and are less concentrated. If you fish the point in summer, focus on early morning before the sun heats the shallows, and fish the deeper edge (12 to 14 feet) rather than the flat. Live bait works better than artificials when the water is warm and clear.

Winter (November through March) is slow but not dead. Stripers that stay in the bay hold in deeper holes and move less, but a few will hunt the point on mild days or during a strong tide. Flounder are dormant and rarely worth targeting. Winter fishing here is a low-probability play; if you want winter action, the deeper channels and holes elsewhere in Warwick Bay are more productive.

How to Fish the Point: Tides and Technique

The point itself is a shallow bar that extends northeast into the bay. The best fishing happens on the slack water just before and after the tide changes—when the current slows, baitfish stop moving and stripers have an easier time hunting. Position yourself on the deeper side of the point (the side facing the bay) during the flood, and work the shallower side during the ebb.

For stripers, cast live mackerel or herring along the edge where the shallow bar drops off into deeper water. Keep your bait moving slowly; stripers in this cove are not aggressive and will ignore a bait that sits still. Flounder require a different approach: anchor or hold position on the sand bottom and work small squid or live sand eels on a simple two-hook rig. Flounder bite best when the tide is moving, so fish the first and last hours of the incoming or outgoing tide rather than the slack.

Kayakers should stay in the shallower water (6 to 10 feet) and use a drift or slow paddle to cover ground. Cast small topwater plugs or soft plastics for stripers, and jig for flounder on the bottom. The cove is shallow enough that you can see structure and baitfish movement, which helps you stay on fish.

Launch Sites and Parking

Warwick City Park on Buttonwoods Avenue is the closest and most convenient launch. The ramp is concrete, well-maintained, and has parking for about 20 cars. There is a small fee (usually a few dollars per vehicle), and the lot fills on weekends. The park is about a mile north of Chepiwanoxet Point, a short motor or paddle in calm water.

Conimicut Point, to the north, is another option if City Park is full. The ramp there is also concrete and has parking, though it is slightly farther from the point. Both ramps are protected and suitable for small boats and kayaks. Arrive early on weekends, especially in spring and fall when fishing pressure is highest.

What Bait and Tackle Work Best

Live mackerel and herring are the gold standard for stripers at Chepiwanoxet Point. Both are available at local tackle shops in Warwick and stay lively in the cool, shallow water. Use a simple single-hook rig (size 2/0 to 4/0) on 12 to 15-pound fluorocarbon leader; the cove's clear water rewards light tackle. A 6 to 7-foot medium-action rod and a small spinning reel are ideal for kayaking or small-boat fishing.

For flounder, small squid or live sand eels on a two-hook bottom rig (size 1 to 2/0 hooks) work well. Flounder are not leader-shy, so 20-pound monofilament is fine. A slightly heavier rod (medium-heavy) helps you feel the bottom and detect the soft bites flounder give. Jigs (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) tipped with squid or soft plastics also produce, especially on the drift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I kayak to Chepiwanoxet Point safely?

Yes. The water between the launch and the point is protected and shallow, rarely more than 3 to 4 feet. Paddle early in the day when the water is calmest, and stay aware of boat traffic on weekends. The cove itself is calm and suitable for kayak fishing.

What size stripers should I expect?

Most stripers at the point run 18 to 26 inches. Larger fish (28 to 35 inches) show up occasionally, especially in spring and fall, but they are not the norm. The cove is better known for consistent action on keeper-size fish than for trophy stripers.

Do I need a boat to fish Chepiwanoxet Point?

No. A kayak works well and gives you access to the shallow water and edges where fish hold. Small boats (16 to 20 feet) are ideal, but a kayak is often more effective because you can move quietly and fish the shallows without spooking stripers.

Is there a Rhode Island saltwater fishing license requirement?

Rhode Island does not require a saltwater fishing license for residents or visitors fishing from shore or a private boat. If you are fishing from a charter or party boat, the captain's license covers you. Check the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management website for current regulations on size and bag limits for striped bass and flounder.

When is the worst time to fish the point?

Midday in summer is the slowest window. The water warms, stripers move deeper, and flounder scatter. Winter (November through March) is also slow, with fewer fish and less predictable action. If you can only fish midday, focus on the deeper channels elsewhere in Warwick Bay instead.