Rebuilt Fishing Pier Opens in Salem, Massachusetts

A preferred fishing spot on the mouth of the Danvers River in Salem has reopened after a $5 million improve. The newly rebuilt Salem Willows Fishing Pier will present entry to anglers seeking to tangle with striped bass, bluefish, flounder and squid.

“Entry to nature is crucial for the well being and well-being of our communities. By creating inclusive out of doors recreation alternatives like Salem Willows Fishing Pier, we are able to guarantee all folks have a singular likelihood to be on the water connecting with the ocean and pure world round them,” mentioned Division of Fish & Sport Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We’re so excited to see folks already fishing from the pier and look ahead to educating numerous new anglers at our fishing clinics within the years to return.”

Initially constructed in 1894, the pier stood for over 100 years earlier than it was demolished attributable to deterioration, storm harm, and sea-level rise impacts. In 2020, the Metropolis of Salem and Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) formalized a multi-year partnership to rebuild the enduring pier, the centerpiece of Salem Willows Park. Accomplished in November 2024, the brand new pier extends over 300 toes into Salem Sound and includes a T-shaped finish, permitting for max entry to probably the most coveted location for angling. The pier supplies important public entry for city and Environmental Justice communities to fishing and out of doors recreation, a key precedence of DFG. The brand new pier is absolutely ADA compliant, increasing entry for folks of all skills to go to, solid a line, and benefit from the surroundings.

The $5 million mission was funded by quite a few companions. The Metropolis of Salem contributed over half of the funding for the mission, together with the total price of demolishing the outdated pier. Practically $2 million got here from the sale of saltwater fishing licenses, by DMF’s Saltwater Leisure Fishing Fund, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program. The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program supplies funds to fish and wildlife companies for fishery tasks, boating entry, and training. Lastly, the Seaport Financial Council contributed $700,000 to assist this mission, which is able to drive tourism and improve out of doors leisure alternatives for guests and residents alike.

“At the moment’s celebration wouldn’t be attainable with out the numerous contributions of our state’s leisure anglers, who’s annual buy of saltwater fishing licenses performs an essential function in funding public entry tasks like this statewide,” mentioned DMF Director Daniel McKiernan. “Thanks to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program, Marine Leisure Fisheries Improvement Panel, the Marine Fisheries Advisory Fee, DFG’s Workplace of Fishing & Boating Entry, and our many companions and devoted workers who’ve championed this mission and secured a world-class fishing pier that will probably be loved for generations to return.”