Officials cut the ribbon on new Wagamons boat ramp

State and town officials cut the ribbon April 20 on the new $316,000 boat ramp and dock at Wagamons Pond in Milton.

The project, spearheaded by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, was paid for using 75 percent federal funds and 25 percent revenue from state fishing licenses. Besides the ramp and dock, DNREC contractors also repaved the parking lot. 

Milton Mayor Ted Kanakos said Wagamons Pond is one of the most popular fishing spots in town, and it’s where the state-record largemouth bass was caught. 

“There’s a lot of very good fishing in here, and the proof is in the large bass rigs that show up every Saturday. This facility and the use of the pond justifies DNREC’s upgrade to this particular facility,” he said.  

DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin said the department wanted to have a boat ramp that would equal the popularity of the pond as a fishing location. 

“This boat ramp will allow boaters, anglers and bass enthusiasts to put their small jon boats in or their 20-foot bass fishing boats,” he said.  “We want to provide the best access we can, not only to citizens, but visitors to our state, to access the incredible natural resources that we have here.

“It’s important to get people outside, because once they’re outside, they will appreciate the environmental side of it. But it’s also an economic engine for our towns and our state. Our ability to make investments to make it easier and safer for people to use these resources is important,” he said.

Garvin said the new ramp will make it easier and safer for people and their boats to get in and out of the pond. The dock has cleats installed along it to enable people to tie up and get in and out easier.

Both Garvin and Kanakos anticipate heavy use of the ramp this summer, as more people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and want to get outdoors.  

Also taking part in the ribbon cutting were Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton, and representatives from U.S. Sen. Tom Carper’s office. 

“It’s a terrific facility,” Kanakos said. “It not only makes fishing available to the residents and the region, but it also allows people to discover Milton, which is very important to us.”