Georges Island

This 30-acre island is dominated by Fort Warren, a National Historic Landmark. Constructed of granite between 1833 and 1869, Fort Warren was used during the Civil War for training Union soldiers and later as a prison for captured Confederates. George's Island now serves as the entrance to the Boston Harbor Islands State Park and provides free inter-island water taxi service, rest room facilities, running water and concession stand. George's is open to the public from May to mid-October. Park Rangers offer guided fort tours and historical and nautical programs: special events such as the Civil War Encampment are scheduled on an annual basis and school curriculum packets are available. Contact the park office for a schedule of events. The island has large picnic areas, a snack bar and an information booth. A free water taxi to the other islands departs from the pier at George's on a frequent schedule.

Light can be seen off to the south from the harbor mouth. Some of the harbors best fishing can be found around the many islands that dot the area. The Great Brewster Spit is one such area. This long "bar" runs nearly a mile from Brewster Island toward George's Island. Speaking of George's Island, one of Rockland's Finest has managed the island for a long time. Bill Mc Cormick knows the islands inside and out and is a wealth of information. Back to fishing. Other areas that hold big fish are the Deer Island rip, the Roaring Bulls, and even up under the Mystic Bridge and the Charles River dam and locks.

But fishing the harbor is about the "Birds". Where are they and what are they doing? From there with a good set of binoculars you can see birds working for many miles. Sometimes you find them out in the north channel, sometimes in at Deer Island, sometimes they are in one place and sometimes they are everyplace.

Once you find them the fun begins!