Family Activities: Fishing Carolina Trout Pond

Carolina Trout Pond located off Switch Road in Richmond, Rhode Island offers some of the best bank fishing in southern Rhode Island.

Carolina Trout Pond

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Carolina Trout Pond is a great place to take the whole family fishing. It has picnic tables and somewhat level banks for fishing. Kids can fish and as they get distracted or need to take a break the can explore the unique eco-system around the pond.

Grasshopper

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

There is no boat ramp for Carolina Trout Pond, and there are no boats allowed.

The pond has bass, crappie, sunfish, blue gill, pumpkinseed and is stocked with trout.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The pond is very busy on Opening day and can continue to busy that first week of the fishing season.

Take the family for the afternoon and enjoy all that Carolina Trout Pond has to offer.

Black-Eyed Susan's

Photo courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Any persons 15 years or older require a fishing license in the state of Rhode Island for more information see the RI Freshwater Fishing Guide on dem.ri.gov

Resident freshwater fishing license - $18

Non-Resident freshwater fishing license - $35

Trout stamp - $5.50

Hiking Meadowbrook in the Carolina Management Area

Looking for a local trail teeming with wildlife and a diverse mix of hardwoods, pinewoods and fields? The trails throughout the Meadowbrook portion of Carolina Management area may be the answer. The cultivated fields around and throughout Meadowbrook are full of turkeys, butterflies and the occasional red tailed hawk.

Trail Map

Courtesy Google Maps

This trail will take approximately 1-1 ½ hour(s) to complete. The trail footing is gravel, sand, packed earth, roots, creek bed and grass fields. Plan on wet feet if taking the trail after a hard rain.

There is tall grassy areas so hikers are advised to wear long, light colored clothing and insect repellant to try to ward off ticks. Don’t forget the dog. Make sure the dog is up to date on all flea and tick prevention methods.

This area is accessed from Pine Hill Road in Richmond, RI. I usually park at the red barn to get walking on the road out of the way. From the parking lot at the red barn walk right on Pine Hill Road to the next parking area on the same side.

Trail Footing

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here walk through the larger parking area and hit the trail. Here the trail is mostly pines and is wide. This area abounds with lady slippers.

Lady Slippers

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trail connects with another trail ignore the trail on the right and stay on the main trail. From here the trail turns to hardwoods and passes a historical cemetery with a stone bench.

Take the first right after the cemetery and proceed down a hill to a creek. Follow along the creek to the trail begins to climb. In this area a few walking trails cross the path, stay on the main path. The path slowly climbs up and levels out at a large field.

Mixed-Use Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The field has mixed-use, corn and turf. Here the grass can be very tall. Follow the edge of the field to a trailhead. This trail cuts through a small hemlock grove. The footing is sandy and can have running water at times.

Hemlock Grove

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take the first right and follow this trail through cultivated fields. Keep your eyes up and look for  hawks and other birds in trees on the edges of these fields. Turkeys can also be spotted in the fields.

Butterfly in Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The fields give way to pine woods and ends at the red barn.

Good luck and enjoy a walk on this trail.

Mountain Bike Report: Carolina Management Area

Located in quiet Richmond, RI is a relatively small management area, only 2359 acres, of some of the most diverse riding in the state of RI. This hidden gem is a great “fit” trail for mountain bikers who want to ride various terrains and challenge themselves up long and sandy hills.

North of Pine Hill Road Trail Map by great Swamp Press

The management area borders Kenyon Hill Trail, Switch Road, and routes 91 and 216. It has rocky outcroppings, in-use dirt roads, gated dirt roads, hiking trails, cranberry bogs, streams, rivers and agricultural fields maintained by the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

South of Pine Hill Road Trail Map by Great Swamp Press

This trail plan offers a variety of footings, scenery and hill challenges. It takes approximately 2 hours, with low technicality.

Start the ride by parking in parking area across from Sandy Pond Road on Switch Road. It does not allow for many vehicles. There is another parking area about 100 feet from main gate.

Ride on Switch Road until Shippee Road. Shippee Road is a dirt road that goes to Carolina Trout Pond. It is open to vehicular traffic. The dirt road turns right and climbs a hill to the pond, instead of taking right go straight at the metal gate.

Trail Split on Habrek Trail

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here the trail splits, go left and begin climbing a long and steep hill. This trail is Habrek Trail. The elevation begins at 150 and climbs to 250. The footing is sand, gravel and roots. The climb varies from gentle sloping to steeper inclines.

After the hill take the first right onto South Trail. From here the trail winds down the hill. It has some rocky corners.

South Trail

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take the first left onto Gardiner Trail. It is a walking path with low hanging branches and very fast, packed footing. The trail is narrow. It also goes through a mountain laurel tunnel.

Mountain Laurel
    Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved
The trail ends on the North South Trail which is a dirt road used by cars. From here ride to the end of the road and turn left on Pine Hill Road. On Pine Hill Road take a right at the red barn, the Carolina Hunter Check Station.

Hunter Check Station

Photo courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

This is Andrews Trail and the footing is varied. It is used by hikers and horseback riders heavily. It goes through cultivated fields and the grass can get long before it is mowed.

Andrews Trail ends at turf fields in a hemlock grove. Veer left and take a small walking path to the edge of the turf/corn field. From here the trail borders the fields and is seen as packed earth. Ride the edge until the trail turns left into the woods on the North South Trail.

Trail Borders Edge of Turf and Corn Fields

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here the trail narrows and slopes downward. It is mostly evergreen woods with roots crossing the path. Follow the trail until it borders a creek. Cross the creek then take the first left and begin climbing the steep hill.

At the crest of the hill turn left on White Brook Trail. Ride the trail until it ends on Pine Hill Road.

Log Obstacle

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All rights Reserved

Continue on Pine Hill Road and pass the North South Trail road. Climb the hill and take the first right onto Laurel Trail. Most maps call this trail for hikers only, but it is used by horseback riders and mountain bikers without a problem.

This trail slowly climbs through the woods on varied footing. It ends on Essex Trail.

On Essex Trail take a left and begin the descent downhill. Stay left on Essex and ride past 2 ponds and some more cultivated fields. The trail ends at the parking area on Switch Road.

Have fun enjoying this hidden gem in Richmond, RI.