Artificial Reef Programs

Artificial reefs — sunk ships, concrete modules, repurposed bridge spans, reef balls — are some of the most productive structure you can fish, and states are actively adding to them. Here's what's moving right now.

Florida

FWC runs an annual grant program funding construction and monitoring of artificial reefs statewide. Monroe County (the Keys) has multiple new reef projects and permits in progress, aimed at creating fishing/diving habitat while taking pressure off natural coral reefs.

North Carolina

The N.C. Artificial Reef Program completed two reef enhancements this spring at AR-230 and AR-250, off Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke — each received roughly 1,500 tons of recycled concrete pipe and culvert boxes, adding new bottom structure and public fishing/diving opportunity off the Outer Banks.

New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware

All three run standing artificial reef programs (NJDEP, Maryland DNR, Delaware) that deploy vessels, concrete, and steel structure in state ocean and bay waters — check each state's reef coordinates list before you run offshore, since exact GPS marks are usually published by the agency.

California (in progress)

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Ocean Protection Council, and California Sea Grant released a draft California Artificial Reef Program Plan in July. Public comment runs July 20–September 4, 2026; tribal comment runs July 6–September 4. Worth watching if you fish the California coast — this could shape where new reef structure goes in.

Why it matters for anglers

New reef deployments mean new numbers to load — most state programs publish reef coordinates publicly once a structure is down and confirmed. If you fish reef structure regularly, it's worth checking your state program's site periodically for newly added sites before they get crowded.

Sources:

FWC — Artificial Reefs NC DEQ — Marine Fisheries completes two artificial reef enhancement projects NJDEP — Artificial Reef Program Maryland DNR — Artificial Reef Program California Ocean Protection Council — Draft Artificial Reef Program Plan Monroe County, FL — Artificial Reefs Program