County of Northampton

Fishing Piers in Northampton County

 

Cape Charles Fun Pier
Morley's Wharf Fishing Pier
Kiptopeke State Park Fishing Pier 

See The Virginia Marine Resources Commission for Fishing Regulations

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Cape Charles Fun Pier

Adjacent to the public beach is a municipal pier which extends across the stone jetty at the entrance of the harbor. The wooden pier, which is known as the Fun Pier, has a railed siding and several built-in benches, and is frequently utilized by Town residents and visitors for sightseeing. -via Cape Charles Comprehensive Plan

Background:

The Cape Charles Fishing Pier was completed in November 2005. The project received $300,000 in VSRFDF grant funds. The project included the replacement of the old fishing pier and boardwalk (now about 5 ft. wide). Also, 300 ft. of pier (10-12 ft. wide) with a small shaded area. An end platform was also added. The additional length of pier with alternating high and low areas, provides easier fishing opportunities for everyone, closer to the deeper water of the Cape Charles Harbor Federal Channel.




The pier is lighted for safety and night fishing. It is free to fish from the pier and restroom facilities are available.
Also, the Town purchased a saltwater recreational pier fishing license to cover those fishing from the pier, so individual licenses are not necessary. Many of the popular Chesapeake Bay species may be caught off this pier.

Directions:

The Cape Charles Fishing Pier is in Northampton County and overlooks Cape Charles Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay

From US Rt. 13, head W on Rt. 184 (Randolph Avenue) toward Cape Charles. Turn left at the stop sign onto Fig Street, which will curve to the right and change into Mason Avenue. Go to the end of the road. Parking is along the main road.

Contact:

Cape Charles Municipal Building
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259

-from https://mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/capecharles.shtm

 

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Guppie Challenge at the Cape Charles Fun Pier held on the 4th of July

 
Guppie Challenge at the Cape Charles Fun Pier July 4th.
Photo Credit: William Dyas

Cape Charles has a fun free Kids Fishing Tournament called ‘The Guppie Challenge’ at the Cape Charles Fun Pier for kids 15 and under on the 4th of July. The event is sponsored by generous donors from the community and provides:

• Free admission for kids 15 and under
• Fishing poles provided to first 100 kids
• Bait and Fishing Instruction Provided

Prizes are awarded at an awards ceremony following the event. There are three age groups: 7 and Under, 8-12, and 13-15.


 Alternating high and low areas, provides easier fishing opportunities for everyone. Photo credit: William Dyas


The Fun Pier with the Cape Charles beach in the background. Folks enjoy fishing during the Guppie Challenge. Photo credit: William Dyas

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Morley's Wharf

Morley's Wharf Fishing Pier is owned and maintained by Northampton County. It is free to the public.
Photo credit: Jean E. Flynn

Morley’s Wharf has a large fishing pier, sanitary facilities, a floating dock and a floating/fixed combination dock. The Morley’s Wharf Fishing Pier is free and open to the public. A saltwater fishing license is not required to fish from the pier. The license fee is paid by Northampton County.

Harbor Masters 
Kerry Tittermary: 757-442-4166
Bob Erwin: 757-678-0440 x580

See the Public Works page for more information. 

Background:

The Morley's Wharf fishing pier was completed in 1999. The project received $64,210 in VSRFDF grant funds. The pier extends 150-feet into Occohannock Creek and has a 50-foot L-head. The facility is handicapped accessible and meets current ADA standards. Also, two double-wide boat ramps and a small paved parking lot are at this location. There is no fee to use this facility. The pier is open 24 hours.

Kids Club Free Fishing Days Photo via http://www.esanglersclub.org/

Occohannock Creek provides access to excellent fishing opportunities for spot, croaker, red drum, spotted trout, flounder, black drum, cobia, striped bass, tautog, and gray trout. It is a popular location and is sometimes the location of an annual kids fishing tournament that is also funded by the VSRFDF. (Virginia Saltwater Recreational Development Fund) 
from - https://mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/morleys.shtm

Directions:

 

The Morley's Wharf facility is in Northampton County and is located on the south side of Occohannock Creek.

From N/S US Route 13 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, in Exmore, take Route 183 W (Occohannock Neck Road) about 2.8 miles towards Silver Beach. In Wardtown, turn right on Route 606 (Morley's Wharf Road). Ramp is located at the end of Morley's Wharf Road (1 mile).

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Kids Free Fishing Days

Photo via http://www.esanglersclub.org/

Come fish with the Eastern Shore of VA Anglers’ Club. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Anglers Club  holds free fishing events for children.

Sponsored by  VSRFDF. (Virginia Saltwater Recreational Development Fund).

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Kiptopeke State Park 

Photo credit: William Dyas

Background:

The Kiptopeke State Park boat landing was completed in 1998. The project received $325,000 from the VSRFDF. The double-wide boat ramp is handicapped accessible. The ramp has 4.5-ft. at mean low water and the parking lot can accommodate 70 boat trailers. There are fees to use the facilities and to park. The boat ramp has nearby restrooms and showers.

The sun sets on the Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke State Park. Concrete ships can be seen in the background. Photo credit: William Dyas

The concrete ships, located off the park's waterfront, offer some of Virginia's finest fishing. Kiptopeke is also the closest Eastern Shore facility to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). Just about every fish species that can be taken in Virginia's waters may be caught around the concrete ships and the CBBT.


Got one! A fisherman catches a fish at the Kiptopeke State Park fishing pier.
Photo Credit: William Dyas

Other amenities available at the State Park are a camp store, walking/biking trails, beaches with swimming/fishing areas, covered picnic areas, campground and sleeping facilities, and a large handicapped accessible fishing pier with cleaning station (fees apply). Please use the Park website (listed below) for updated fees and other amenities available.

 

A beginner fishing enthusiast catches a nice sized flounder at the fishing pier in Kiptopeke State Park.
Photo credit: William Dyas

Directions:

Kiptopeke is located three miles from the northern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) in Northampton County. If your are coming across the CBBT, there is a toll (Link to CBBT fees).

From N/S US Route 13 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia: Turn west on Route 704; the park entrance is within a half mile.

 

Contact:

Kiptopeke State Park
3540 Kiptopeke Drive
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Phone: (757) 331-2267
Email: [email protected]


-from https://mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/kiptopeke.shtm 

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For more information about Fishing Regulations, please visit the Virginia Marine Resource Commission. 

Buy your saltwater fishing license online.