Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States by size, there are still plenty of bodies of water for folks to hang out around. Summers in the New England region seemingly come out of a Hallmark movie. There’s tons of fishing and plenty of areas to relax when it’s warm outside. However, it’s vital to stay on the lookout for snakes when visiting these bodies of water in Rhode Island. Thankfully, no venomous snake calls Rhode Island home. However, that doesn’t mean non-venomous snakes are fun to be bitten by! Here are the most snake-infested lakes in Rhode Island.

Wilbur Pond Dam

While there aren’t tons of bodies of water in Rhode Island’s 1,500 square miles of area, one place locals know is filled with snakes is Wilbur Pond Dam. This area is close to Bowdish Lake, another lake where folks find plenty of wildlife. Wilbur Pond Dam is home to the Northern Water snake and while the animal isn’t filled with venom, it still reaches a maximum length of 55 inches. Therefore, there is plenty of power behind a bite, should one decide to come after you. Be on the lookout for these snakes during spring and fall, as that’s when they’re most likely to approach you. If you see a snake come near you, there’s no need to fully panic. Just leave the area and you’ll be okay.

Bowdish Lake

Wilbur Pond Dam is close to Bowdish Lake, which makes it unsurprising to learn the Northern Water snake is found there, too. This body of water is located near the Rhode Island and Connecticut border. This is a popular place for outdoors people from these states, as well as Massachusetts, to frequent during the summer months. Northern Water snakes prefer being in the sun and relaxing during these months, which is why you’ll likely never find them in the water. Once the fall comes, though, that’s when swimmers should be on the lookout. It’s important to still seek treatment if you’re bitten by one of these snakes, even though they don’t have any venom.

Narragansett Bay

One of the islands that’s part of Rhode Island is Aquidneck Island. The island has three separate bridges that connect it to various other parts of Rhode Island, making it easily accessible to tourists and locals alike. Once there, plenty of folks enjoy spending their time in Narragansett Bay. This body of water is perfect for a picturesque day in the Northeastern part of America. However, anyone who gets in the water should be wary of their surroundings. Narragansett Bay is home to the garter snake, which is known for making its home in and around water. Thankfully, the garter snake isn’t poisonous and doesn’t grow to be too big. It’s still important to be aware, as nobody wants their perfect day interrupted by a snake.

Trustom Pond

Trustom Pond is one of the most popular fishing locations in Rhode Island. There are plenty of animals in the water. While it’s popular to see fish, it’s also not completely uncommon to see a common watersnake slithering around the pond. Watersnakes shouldn’t cause too much of a panic, as they don’t contain any venom. However, if you see a watersnake, you should still make your way out of the water and away from the area. Just because they don’t have venom doesn’t mean you want to risk being bitten by one.

Were there ever venomous snakes?

Even though Rhode Island is one of the places folks don’t have to worry about coming across a venomous snake today, there was once a time when rattlesnakes called the area home. Timber rattlesnakes were once slithering around Rhode Island, around 50 years ago. However, it’s almost as if the snakes just all left the area together, at once. After the timber rattlesnake left Rhode Island, no venomous snakes were remaining in the area. While Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, there are still some bodies of water that contain snakes. It’s vital to stay aware of your surroundings when you take a trip to these areas.