R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-1-27: Exotic invasive freshwater fish and invertebrate species — Prohibition on liberation into freshwaters.

(a) No person shall release or liberate, by design or accident, any species of non-native (exotic) fish or invertebrate, as defined by the director, into the freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, or wetlands of the state. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability. The prohibition and its enforcement shall not become effective until the rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability take effect.

(b) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).