R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-11-8

Freshwater minnows, not including the young of any species of game fish, may be lawfully taken for bait with minnow traps, dip nets, and seines of the dimensions of not more than eight feet (8′) in length and four feet (4′) in depth and having a mesh not larger than one-quarter of an inch (¼") in any waters of this state. The possession and use of minnow seines larger than the dimensions specified in this section, unless otherwise provided, shall be unlawful.