Tuna reports build in Rhode Island canyons as summer fishing improves

The Fisherman’s Rhode Island report for June 22 put tuna in the conversation just as the inshore bite kept carrying the load. Stripers stayed strong around Block Island and nearby waters, while fluke remained slow and inconsistent and scup and sea bass started to build as summer conditions improved.

That mix is exactly where the early-season canyon dilemma starts to sharpen. The report pointed to yellowfin, bigeye and bluefin tuna reported in the canyons, but late-week wind kept the offshore scene limited and variable enough that boats had to pick their windows carefully. Squid, mackerel and sand eels were still showing along the coast, a sign that bait was in place even as anglers waited for the right weather break.

NOAA Fisheries adds another layer to that decision. As of June 1, the recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna angling-category limit was set at 2 fish per vessel per day or trip, with only 1 large school or small medium fish allowed under that limit, and the rule runs through Dec. 31 unless it changes again. NOAA also defines a trophy bluefin as 73 inches curved fork length or greater, which keeps any confirmed canyon bluefin report relevant for both private boats and charter crews.

The offshore choice was also tied to the weather. NOAA’s Rhode Island Sound marine forecast for June 23 called for southwest winds of 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots before easing later in the day, the kind of setup that can turn a canyon trip from worthwhile to punishing if the timing is off. Inside, NOAA Fisheries says striped bass recreational fishing is not allowed in federal waters, though transit with striped bass is permitted in some areas around Block Island, another reminder that the line between a good inshore day and an offshore run is still narrow.

At the same time, NOAA Fisheries had already locked in 2026 and 2027 recreational measures for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass and bluefish, effective Feb. 19. That left Rhode Island anglers working a tightly managed inshore mix while watching for the first sustained canyon run of the season, the point where bait, water temperature and a usable weather window finally lined up.