The Chesapeake Bay is home to a wide variety of piers suitable for saltwater fishing, crabbing, and other activities.
Pier fishing is easy to do, often requires no licenses or permits and allows anglers of all ages, sexes, and skill levels to enjoy saltwater fishing.
Depending on the season and location, fishermen may catch trout, croakers, spot, pigfish, white perch, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, spadefish, small sharks, red drum, black drum, or other fish.
In some areas, crabbing is productive. Pier crabbers use baited lines or collapsible traps to catch blue crabs.
The following list includes many of the most popular fishing piers that are located around the Chesapeake Bay:
Baltimore – Annapolis
Jonas Green Park Fishing Pier (Severn River – old route 450)
Southern Maryland
Kings Landing Park (Patuxent River)
“Pepper” Langley Fishing Pier (tidal Patuxent River)
North Beach Fishing Pier
Breezy Point
Potomac River
In St. Mary’s County Maryland, piers are located along the Potomac River at Fox Harbor Landing in Ridge, River Springs Landing in Avenue, and St. George’s Island. Renovated in 2012-2013, the new piers comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Maryland Eastern Shore
Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
29761 Bolingbroke Point Drive
Trappe, MD 21673
****IMPORTANT NOTICE****
The fishing piers at Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park closed in 2021 due to structural safety concerns. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for updates. In October 2022,? the 270′ pedestrian access that connects with the Visitor Center boardwalk on the Dorchester County side was reopened.
The Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park is open 365 days per year. Fishing, crabbing, bicycling, walking, jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, and other activities are popular activities. On the Dorchester County side, visitors can reach Sailwinds Park via the walkway under the bridge.
Crisfield Town Pier
In downtown Crisfield, public piers extend from the town dock and pavilion complex. The piers are a popular location for saltwater fishing and crabbing.
Virginia Eastern Shore
Saxis Fishing Pier
Saxis Island Virginia
The Saxis Fishing Pier on Virginia’s Eastern shore is an excellent local pier. The pier extends 200 feet into Saxis Harbor and terminates with a 100-foot t-head. The pier is handicapped accessible and ADA compliant. The pier is lit and is open 24 hours a day. Anglers visiting the Saxis Fishing Pier catch croakers, spot, white perch, trout, striped bass, bluefish, flounder and other Chesapeake Bay fish. Bait is available locally including peeler crab or soft crab baits. There is no fee to use the Saxis Fishing Pier although a valid saltwater fishing license is required.
Morely’s Wharf Fishing Pier
Occohannock Creek Virginia
Morley’s Wharf fishing pier is located on the lower Eastern Shore of Virginia on Occohannock Creek. The pier extends 150-feet into Occohannock Creek and has a 50-foot l-head. The facility is totally handicapped accessible and meets current ADA standards.
From US 13 in Exmore take Rt. 183 (Occohannock Neck Road) towards Franktown. In Wardtown turn right on Rt. 606 (Morley’s Wharf Road). Ramp is located at the end of Morley’s Wharf Road.
Hampton Roads
Seagull Pier
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia
****IMPORTANT NOTICE****
In late 2017, the Sea Gull Fishing Pier closed to the public for the construction of a new parallel tunnel at the Thimble Shoal Channel. Delays in the project caused the re-opening to be pushed back multiple times.
The Seagull Pier is located on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Seatrout, croakers, spot, striped bass, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, small sharks, and black drum are caught from the pier.
Ocean View Fishing Pier
400 W. Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 25303
757-583-6000
www.oceanviewfishingpier.com
The 1690′ x 16′ wide Ocean View Fishing Pier was constructed after Hurricane Isabel destroyed the original Harrison’s Fishing Pier. The structure features a 48′ wide T section at it’s end and extends into the Chesapeake Bay between the Chesapeake Bay bridge Tunnel and the Hampton Roads Tunnel.
James River Bridge Fishing Pier
6701 River Road
Newport News, VA 23602
757-247-0364
This pier is one of the longest fishing piers on the East Coast. Located in Newport News, the pier is open from April through November. A bait shop is on site.
Grandview Fishing Pier
155 State Park Dr
757-851-2811
Grandview Fishing Pier Fishing Pier is located in Hampton Virginia. The pier is a good spot to enjoy saltwater fishing for spot, croaker, striped bass and other Virginia fish.
Engineers Fishing Pier
Engineers Fishing Pier is located within Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton. The pier extends into the harbor of Hampton Roads.
Newport News Fishing Piers
In Newport News, community fishing piers are located in Denbigh Park, Peterson’s Yacht Basin, and Huntington Park.
One of the most extensive resources for locating public fishing piers in the estuary is the Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River and Tidal Tributaries Public Access Guide.
Produced through a partnership between the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, the guide provides information on hundreds of beaches, boat ramps, fishing areas, and other public access sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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