Tarbox Pond Fishing Guide, Kent County, Rhode Island

• Overview

  The Kent County end of Rhode Island holds Tarbox Pond. It sits at 217 feet above sea level. Small at around 20 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Exeter is the closest place, 4.3 miles off. West Greenwich is 4.7 miles away, with West Warwick at 4.9 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Tarbox Pond

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. On Tarbox Pond the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 71°F; the cold one sits at 27°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It sets the rhythm of the year at Tarbox Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Carr Pond sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Tarbox Pond as something to verify.