PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife next week will stock about 1,500 trout in several locations throughout the state in anticipation of the winter ice-fishing season. Although it is currently too warm for ice fishing, the weather is good for shore fishing, say Division staff.

Trout stocking locations will include Olney Pond in Lincoln, Simmons Mill Pond, Little Compton, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond, and Carbuncle Pond in Coventry. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required. The daily creel and possession limit for trout are two per day.

As the winter season progresses, anglers should check with individual communities about safe ice conditions on local ponds before ice fishing, as DEM does not monitor ice conditions in local communities. For ice conditions at Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park, they can call DEM's 24-hour ice safety hotline at 222-2632, which will become operational after a prolonged period of below-freezing temperatures.

Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by DEM. It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20s before ice may become safe. Even then, the strength of the ice is determined by a number of factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations. DEM has an ice safety guide that can be found online at its website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Parks and Recreation" under "Programs".