About Island Creek Herring
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Our Mission
To preserve and raise awareness about Duxbury own Island Creek Herring Run.
Discover Island Creek Pond's Diverse history
In the first comers period of the early 1600s, Squanto, a Pautuxet Indian from the Plymouth Area, [1] is reported to have taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn in mounds fertilized with herring. Use of fish sustained native peoples and the Pilgrims. “Mattakeeset”, meaning “place of many fish,” is a Native American name still used in Duxbury.” [2]
Land ownership at Island Creek was established with land grants in the early 17th century. The Town regulated the Island Creek herring run at the town meeting in 1693, “…that if the fisher men of Duxbury, shall clear Island Creek brook tat said men shall have liverty then to get herring for bait from time to time without moletstation; and to that end the town do agree, that if any, either English or Indian, do hinder tem herein, by makin of weirs, or hindering the fish from coming to the Pond or going down, they shall thereby forfit five shillings for every time they do so…”[3] The town meeting of 1702 shows “the town have given liberty to Ens. Seabury to make a dam upon Island Creek Pond brook, provided that he leaves a sufficient and free passage for the herrings up, and down, and also makes a sufficient cart way over the brook.” This is the historic fish run which needs to be restored.
With access to the Bay, farm land and the Creek’s herring run, the area had the resources to support a village. The name Island Creek eventually referred to a village with its “own school, post office, railroad station and social center, Island Creek Hall.” [4] The growth in fishing in the early 18th century led Duxbury men to build ships or fish the grand banks. Island Creek provided herring as bait and sufficient deep water, and the area become important to ship building in the late 18th century.
The shipping and ship building industry defined much of what we see today in Duxbury. In time, transportation and the economy changed, and the community turned away from the Bay and Island Creek. The herring run fell into disrepair until the 1940s when the present fish ladder was constructed. In recent history efforts have begun to restore these fish runs.
- [1] Katherine H. Pillsbury, Duxbury a Guide, Duxbury Rural and Historical Society,1999, p.18, Duxbury, Massachusetts
The Need for the Run
"The term “river herring” is a combined name for the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis). River herring return to freshwater habitats to spawn, providing food to many species, nutrients to freshwater ecosystems. They play a pivotal role in regulating the food web structure. They also help support the conservation of the endangered Atlantic salmon, by being prey to predators and thus reducing the predation on salmon. Furthermore, river herring also contribute to a wide variety of important ecosystem services that benefit people.
These fish supported some of the oldest fisheries in the United States. Their historically high abundance, wide distribution, and migratory life cycle are intertwined with the human experience along the Atlantic seaboard of North America. They are culturally important to a number of Native American tribes, who celebrate the runs of river herring adults into freshwater spawning habitats along the East Coast."
(Fisheries, NOAA. “River Herring Science in Support of Species Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration.” NOAA, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/river-herring-science-support-species-conservation-and-ecosystem-restoration. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025. )
About Island Creek Pond Herring Run
Our Story
Island Creek Herring Run was neglected for many years as the ever growing town of Duxbury expanded around it. In the early 2000s the run was re-opened, and ever since it has required imperative maintenance ever since.
Our Goal
To raise awareness and support for the herring run. We need as much support for the herring run, as it is such an important part of our ecosystem.
Our Team
Our Team
Its You! Anyone can have a major impact on the success of the herrings spawning journey. There is ample need for any help and hours that can be put in mainly to making sure the run is clear. Contact Michael Wood with any interest. (email at bottom of page.