Effective January 1, 2012 Rhode Island has banned the use of felt soles in both fresh and salt water. The ban has been implemented administratively as part of the 2012 fishing regulations. It seems that this ban was developed without public notice.

   The new rule states "It is prohibited that any person use foot gear with external felt soles in any state waters, inclusive of freshwater, tidal, or marine. This shall include any waters shared with adjacent states in which any Rhode Island Fishing Regulations apply." The rule is found in the 2012/2013 Rhode Island Fishing Regulations it is regulation #1.17 on page 9.

   With the Alaska statewide ban also taking effect on January 1 there will be four states (Alaska, Maryland, Rhode Island and Vermont) with statewide bans. Missouri will be implementing a ban on felt in trout waters effective March 1, 2012

  Felt bans are one of the hottest topics among anglers and we continue to track all felt bans and proposals in the US at US Felt Bans

Rhode Island Felt Ban

    Welcome to the first ever special edition of the Clean Angling News. After our 2011 Holiday Issue was sent out we learned of the new felt ban in Rhode Island. Since the ban will take effect long before our next issue we decided to send out this single article issue of the News.