- Division of Marine Fisheries
The facility was constructed by the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), in cooperation with DFG’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and the City of Boston. The $2.4 million project was paid for mostly with funds from the sale of Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit, with assistance from the MWRA.
The pier extends 260 feet into Boston Harbor and ends in a 60 foot by 17 foot ‘T’. 25% of the fishable frontage is handicapped accessible to wheelchair access. The pier has lighting from the walking path the ‘T’, bait cutting stations, and two benches to sit and take a rest from angling. The end of the pier sits in twelve feet of water at low tide. The pier is constructed on steel pipe piles that support a timber decking of ipe. Ipe is a southern ‘ironwood’ that is naturally resistant to decay. This decking, though pricey, will outlast any other product making it a solid value over time.
Construction of the Deer Island Recreational Fishing Pier was supported by the Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund, which is financed through the sale of recreational saltwater fishing permits, donations, and grants. One-third of the fund is dedicated to providing anglers with public access to saltwater fishing opportunities. The Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Panel is a five-member citizens advisory group that helps DMF in crafting annual spending plans from the Fund.
Some of the activities supported by the Fund are:
• Providing anglers with public access to saltwater fishing opportunities
• Monitoring, stocking, and improving the passage of diadromous fish
• Developing the Saltwater Angler Education Program, offering fishing clinics, seminars, and distribution of informational materials
• Recreational catch and effort data through the Marine Recreational Information Program
• Planning, siting, and monitoring of artificial reefs
The Deer Island Recreational Fishing Pier was designed by Foth Engineering and constructed by ACK Marine & General Contracting, overseen by the Division of Marine Fisheries, the Office of Fishing and Boating Access, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
By Ross Kessler, Public Access Coordinator
