Lower Portion of Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier at Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park Re-Opens

By  //  December 9, 2017

closed since September due to Hurricane Irma

New aluminum rails, aluminum light boxes with turtle approved lights, and new fish cleaning stations installed in the newly repaired and reopened Jetty Park. (Port Canaveral image)

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA – The lower portion of the Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier at Jetty Park re-opened Friday morning after being closed since September, due to damages from Hurricane Irma. 

New aluminum rails, aluminum light boxes with turtle approved lights, and new fish cleaning stations installed in the newly repaired and reopened park.

“We are working to repair the remaining section of the pier, which remains closed at this time,” said Port Canaveral officials.

The Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier is a 1,200 foot public fishing pier that is open 24 hours. It is paved, well-lighted, and equipped with fish-cleaning tables with running water and fully accessible to the physically challenged.

Located inside Jetty Park, the Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier and beach area is one of the most popular recreation spots in Brevard County.

Besides the 4.5 acre family beach with its designated areas for swimming and surfing with lifeguards on duty year round, one of this park’s best-loved features is the 1,200-foot pier. Specially designed beach wheelchairs give access both to the beach and pier.

New aluminum rails, aluminum light boxes with turtle approved lights, and new fish cleaning stations installed in the newly repaired and reopened Jetty Park. (Port Canaveral image)
New aluminum rails, aluminum light boxes with turtle approved lights, and new fish cleaning stations installed in the newly repaired and reopened Jetty Park. (Port Canaveral image)

Fishing is a popular sport at Port Canaveral, and there are many ways to do it.

Fisherman can keep their feet on dry land, and among the most popular spots for shore fishing is the Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier. Anglers gather there around the clock to try their luck at snook, Spanish mackerel, drum and other challenging sport fish.

The fishing pier was named after McLouth, who has been one of the most influential leaders and driving forces behind the growth and expansion of Port Canaveral over the past 50 years.

In 1993, the construction of the pier cost $650,000, of which half was paid by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and half by the Port Canaveral Authority.

Prior to the construction of the fishing pier, fisherman had to climb on the rocks to fish, which was dangerous and uncomfortable for the fisherman.

FISHLIPS AT JETTY PARK 

Fishlips at Jetty Park is operated by Mike Schwarz and Rich Hensel, owners of Fishlips Waterfront Restaurant at Port Canaveral.

Fishlips at Jetty Park is operated by Mike Schwarz and Rich Hensel, owners of Fishlips Waterfront Restaurant at Port Canaveral.

The building and operation was recently renovated and expanded on the boardwalk near to the fishing pier, and houses an air-conditioned refreshment center and a bait and tackle shop.

Jetty Park also features a 126-site campground with options from rustic tent areas to full RV hook-ups.

For campground or picnic pavilion reservations, call 321-783-7111.

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