When you get knocked down, just get back up again.
The Keansburg Fishing Pier has long been one of the most well-known and most recognized landmarks along the shoreline of New Jersey’s Raritan Bay. Once stretching 2,400 feet into the bay, the pier has been loved by both fishermen and the Keansburg community alike.
Unfortunately, on the night of February 2, 2026 and into the early morning hours of February 3, the pier experienced a tragic disaster. A mix of strong tides caused by the full moon coupled with a broad ice sheet caused by the prolonged below-freezing temperatures sparked a chain reaction. As the tides rose and fell, the ice kept on rubbing up on the pier’s aging pilings, slowly weakening the structure and causing a partial collapse of the pier’s end.
But the good news is that despite the much-publicized damage, the Keansburg Pier has officially reopened for 2026, albeit a slightly shorter version.
Pier Pressure
The pier was originally constructed in the late 1900s when Keansburg first became a popular beach town. As the town grew in popularity, the pier’s fame rose as one of the town’s key attractions. Today, the pier is closely associated with the Keansburg Amusement Park, as they share the same owners as well as a parking lot. The pier is well known and used greatly by both local and out-of-state anglers for its great fishing access and opportunities with fluke, weakfish, bluefish, and the occasional striped bass, as well as smaller fish species such as spot and porgy which are a great fight, especially for kids.
Most notably the pier was known for its all-nighters, supported by Keansburg Pier manager Kathi Smock, who kept the pier open all night, providing access to some of the best striper fishing in New Jersey.
The Keansburg Pier has faced many enduring challenges over the years. It is constantly exposed to corrosive saltwater, powerful tides, and extreme weather patterns. One of the most significant challenges came during the infamous Superstorm Sandy in late October of 2012 when the pier was forced to face heavy storm surge and large swells. With constant waves and high winds battering the pier, the entire structure suffered damage as the water displaced planks from the pier. Repairs and restoration would follow, and while a few planks were washed away, fortunately there was not much damage other than cleaning the debris atop the pier.
Fast forward to the brutally cold winter of 2026, the pier has faced yet another unfortunate disaster. During prolonged periods of freezing temperatures, large portions of Raritan Bay began to freeze, creating large ice sheets which caused stress to many waterfront structures. As ice takes hold around a pier’s pilings, the tides may move but the ice remains in place, with that constant pressure gradually weakening end of the pier. That icy grip, combined with strong tides – particularly around a lunar event – will cause failure. And that, according to Keansburg Mayor George Hoff, is what caused damage to the Keansburg Pier.
“We had about a 200- to 300-foot section of the pier partially collapse due to heavy ice buildup,” Hoff explained, adding “As the tides and current moved, the ice kept bumping and pushing against the structure, and eventually the pier gave out.”
Community Landmark
According to Hoff, the collapse was concentrated at the far end of the pier. “The collapse mainly affected the last 200 to 300 feet of the pier,” he said, explaining how the remainder of the structure must now be carefully evaluated for safety and stability.
Mayor Hoff emphasized that the pier’s importance extends far beyond fishing. “The fishing pier is a landmark for Keansburg,” he said. “It’s a tourist attraction and a place where locals come to fish for fluke, flounder, bluefish, and striped bass. It’s also where we hold our annual Fourth of July fireworks, so it plays a big role in bringing people into town.”
Pier Manager Kathi Smock also described the collapse as a tragedy for the Keansburg community as well as fisherman alike. “The pier partially collapsed at the end due to the ice on the bay,” she said. Smock explained that ice across the bay, combined with unusually heavy tides caused by the full moon on February 1, repeatedly crashed against the structure. The force of the ice caused the end of the pier to break off, leaving pilings exposed and standing bare out of the water.
“There has not been enough time for guys to get out, and there’s too much ice for any boats to get out to the end.” Until conditions improve and crews are able to safely access the damaged area, engineers and inspectors are limited in what they can assess.
Smock compared the current damage to what the pier experienced during Hurricane Sandy, noting a major difference. “I say it’s much worse really,” she said. “During Hurricane Sandy, only boards got loose. We lost a few, but it was relatively easy to fix. Right now, part of the pier’s pilings are standing up out of the water.” Because of the severity of the collapse, Smock said repairs will likely require removing the existing pilings and installing new ones to restore the pier as a cohesive and structurally sound facility.
Back In Business
As for fully rebuilding the damaged section, Hoff said there is currently no confirmed timeline. “The pier was rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy, and I do see them repairing it again.” Engineers need to assess the structural integrity before anything moves forward.” He added that the borough is prepared to assist in any way possible. “The town will work with the Gehlhaus family (owner of the Keansburg Pier) to help expedite building permits, environmental protection permits, and anything else that’s needed,” Hoff said, emphasizing the town’s commitment to supporting reconstruction efforts.
Smock shared that same positive outlook, stating, “The owners do plan on rebuilding.” However, she emphasized that it is too soon to determine when that process will begin or how long it will take. Until boats and crews can safely reach the damaged end of the pier and fully evaluate the structure, decisions regarding design, materials, and construction timelines remain on hold.
From surviving through Hurricane Sandy and staying strong through this past harsh winter, the pier has withstood through it all. Once rebuilt, the pier will stay strong for much more time to come. Hopefully, repairs will begin as the weather becomes warmer and the ice clears off of the bay and it becomes safe for crews to access the end of the pier and assess the extent of the damage.
Even while damaged, there is something for anglers to look forward to. And by the end of March, hope turned into progress. The fishing pier announced that the pier was reopening, which has brought a sense of excitement and relief for both the town and fishing community. The update was first shared on the pier’s Facebook page, where announcements and fishing news about the pier are regularly posted and followed closely by the pier’s many regular anglers.
“The pier will be open weekends starting Saturday, April 4th,” came the exciting news for Facebook followers, some of course who’d asked whether or not the damaged portions had been fixed. “Of course not,” came the reply, which added “the pier is shorter now he hopes by next year.”
After months of uncertainty following the collapse of the pier, it was a great surprise knowing that the unaffected half of the pier would be open for anglers in time for the 2026 season.
While questions may still remain about long-term reconstruction and the full restoration of the damaged sections, the reopening of the pier marks an important step in moving forward with the historic and beloved pier.
