Fishing the Susquehanna River
 The Susquehanna River, whose headwaters are formed by the outflow of Otsego Lake, near picturesque Cooperstown, New York, wanders some 444 miles through the countryside of the “Keystone State”. The mighty “Susky” flows past the rusted hulks of once mighty factories, the cooling towers and facilities of “Three Mile Island” nuclear power plant, and the beautiful Amish farmland. Its journey concludes near Havre De Grace, Maryland, as the primary tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna watershed, is made up of over 27,510 square miles, encompassing approximately one-half the land area of Pennsylvania. The “Susquehanna Basin” is one of the most flood prone areas in the entire nation, and will experience a major devastating flood on the average of once every twenty years.
 The “Susky” is also the longest commercially non-navigable river in North America. The river is almost one mile wide at the capital city of Harrisburg. It flows about twenty miles per day, on an average summer day, and has a normal flow of about eighteen million gallons per minute. The river provides approximately 446 million gallons of water per day to commercial and residential consumers during peak usage.
 For those anglers who have not sampled this meandering body of water, you will be in for a real treat. For the “Susky” not only harbors the much sought after Smallmouth Bass, but a variety of other game and panfish species, including Catfish, Carp, Walleye, American Shad, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Musky to name a few. The “Susky” has been called a “Bass Factory” by many anglers and fisheries biologists alike, and is rated as the number one Smallmouth Bass River in the US, and with the size and creel limits, trophy areas, and other regulations imposed by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, should remain so for many years to come.
Susquehanna River - TRIP CHECK
Location: The Susquehanna River meanders from Cooperstown, NY, to Havre De Grace, MD, some 444 miles. Good fishing can be had over most of its length, but our “Pro Staff” is more oriented to the areas from Milton downstream to Conowingo Dam.
Directions: All roads lead to Harrisburg, PA. Take I-81 South from the Syracuse, NY, area and North from Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Travel I-78, I-276 & I-76 “PA Turnpike” West from the New Jersey area. From York, PA, and Baltimore, MD, take I-83 North. Travel US Rt. 11/15 south from areas northwest of the city and Rte. 322 or the “PA Turnpike” I-76 from the west.
When to go: The Susquehanna River is basically a “Year-Round” body of water. Each season will present its own set of parameters for a successful fishing excursion and dictate the most productive lures for the time of year and water conditions. Only the ice flows and freeze-overs of late winter will deter the truly dedicated “Susky” fanatic.
“Spring Season” is by far the best time for a real “Trophy Bronzeback” encounter, with the months of March, April, May and June producing the largest catches, both in size and numbers. Days with two-hundred fish being boated are not uncommon then, with the average size during spring being two-and-one-half to three pounds. Four pound “Smallies” are very common, five-pounders are a little harder to come by, but appear with frequency, and fish over five pounds are harder to locate, but are not uncommon. In 2001 there was a documented eight-pound-seven-ounce behemoth landed from the Susquehanna near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, caught on a Cabin Creek “Salty Critter Gitter” tube lure. Two of our “Pro Staff” members anchored on ONE eddy pool, in the spring of 2002, and boated 113 bass from that spot. The next day, they boated 90 from the same hole… and this is NOT a “fishin’ story”! In April of 2003, my partner and I boated an average of over 200 fish per day, every day, for over a week, as did friends in five or six other boats. This is a SPECTACULAR time of year! IF you know where and how!
“Summertime Fishin’” is still very productive on the Susquehanna River. Gone are the spring hay-days of two hundred or more fish being landed and the truly big fish have disappeared into the deep cool pools and eddy waters. This is the time of year when “Top Water” lures shine, “Salty Spider Jigs” work wonders, and four-inch or six-inch Salty Sinkin’ Worms, rigged “Wacky” style, entice many a strike.
“Fall Season” brings the cool nights of October and November, and will bring on the feeding binges that Smallmouth Bass are famous for. Lower water temperatures, in the 43 to 45 degree range, will encourage the bass to “School” and locate in specific areas of the river. This is the season for a real “Hawg” when conditions get right. Large crankbaits, Suspending Rouge Minnows, Salty Spider Jigs and Tubes all work well.
“Winter Time” fishing, in December, January, and February is sloooooow in regards to lure presentation and catching results alike. But, when you hook a fish this time of year, it can be a real “Bruiser”. Five to ten fish per day is about average, but a really good day can develop and an angler can boat twenty to thirty fish per day during this period. Only ICE stops us now!
Where to fish: In spring, the shallow, weedy coves, feeder creeks and Lake of the Isle tend to warm soonest. When the water temp in the river reaches 54 degrees or so, the Smallmouth will stack up at the head and foot of most of the islands close to the main channel. Pike will be abundant in the bays and creeks. In summer the Smallmouth go deep (60 feet or more) and do not return to shallow water in the fall. Pike fishing is good, and the toothy critters LOVE a nice topwater offering. Fall is the time to fish the shoals and rocks, and weed bed edges for Musky, and the creeks will contain good numbers of Pike and Largemouth Bass.
Spring: When the water temp is 45 degrees the eddy pools and current edges will produce best. As the water temp rises to 48-50 degrees, move to the head and foot of the islands and grass beds where the structure will create a current break. At 54 degrees, the “Smallies” move ever more to the grass beds in preparation for spawning. At 58-62 degrees, the bass are on the beds and spawning is in full swing. Concentrate on gravel bars, sand bottoms, grass beds around current breaks and eddy pockets.
Summer: Low water conditions have been the norm for the past few summers, but quality “Smallies” can be enticed by topwater lures, tubes, and Salty Sinkin’ Worms. The current breaks at the foot of islands, grass beds, eddy pockets above and below obstructions and deeper pools will produce best. Don’t be surprised to find “BIG” fish in “Skinny” water!
Fall: Long anticipated by the dedicated “Susky” anglers and guides, fall can present the golden opportunity for a truly “Trophy” fish. When the water temperature reaches the 45 degree mark, fish will congregate along the points, current breaks and rocky shorelines with quick drop-offs.
Winter: Venturing onto the “Susky” or any other body of water, when the air temps are in the teens, and water temps are in the 38 to 42 degree range, is the mark of a dedicated “Smallie” fanatic ( or “crazy person”… I haven’t quite decided yet). The key word now is sloooooow! Fish the deeper sections of the river, above Holtwood Dam, above Safe Harbor Dam or any slack water area above any of the dams on the river. When slush ice begins forming and water temps fall below 38 degrees, it is time to focus ones energy on other pursuits.
What to fish: Lure selection can be as varied as the time of year and most knowledgeable “River Rats” follow the water temperature guidelines for lure selection. Water conditions, i.e. color, clarity and flow rate can influence lure and color selection, but “temperature” dictates lure choice more often than any other aspect. Here are some “Top Choice” guidelines…
Spring: “Salty Spider Jigs”… water temps 38 to 45 degrees
“Hair Jig & Pig”… water temps 38 to 45 degrees
“Salty Critter Gitter” tube… water temps 45 to 62 degrees
“Spinnerbait”… water temps 52 to 62 degrees
“Suspending Rogue”… water temps 45 to 62 degrees
“Twitch-It”… water temps 45 to 58 degrees
Summer: “Salty Critter Gitter” tube… water temps are not as critical in the summer and
“Super Spook, Jr.”… can range from 65 to 85 degrees, depending on
“Floating Rogue”… rainfall, air temps, river levels, etc.
“Salty Sinkin’ Worm…
“Salty Spider Jig”…
“Rebel Pop-R”…
“Tiny Torpedo”…
Fall: “Suspending Rogue”… water temps will be falling into the mid to low 40s with 45
“Twitch-It”… degrees being the “magic” temperature. Water temp is not
“Fat Free Shad”… as critical to lure selection as in the spring.
“6A Bomber”…
“Salty Critter Getter” tube…
“Salty Spider Jig”…
Lure Color Selection: Water clarity, condition, flow rate and time of year will dictate color. Basic rule of thumb… When water clarity is poor, choose bright colors like Chartreuse, or dark colors like Black (Avocado with Black and Red Flake is an excellent choice). When water is clear, choose more natural colors like browns, greens and smoke. Green Pumpkin will be a very productive color most of the year.
Plastics: “Salty Spider Jigs” & “Salty Critter Gitter” tubes in Black with Blue Flake; Salt & Pepper with Purple Flake… Blue & Green Flake… Fuchsia Flake… or Purple Hologram Flake; Green Pumpkin; Junebug; Pearl; Avocado with Black & Red Flake; Pumpkin Pepper with Purple Flake… Red Flake… Gold Flake… or Orange Flake; “Salty Sinkin’ Worms” in Pearl Flash; Blue Pearl Flash; Green Pearl Flash; and Green Pumpkin. “Twitch-It” in Pearl; Shad; Blue Pearl
Spinnerbaits: Large spinnerbaits in 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 oz. sizes work best with twin Willow Leaf blades of silver or gold, or a combination of both. Chartreuse, Chartreuse and Orange; Chartreuse and White; Chartreuse and Blue; White; Black; Purple
Topwater Lures: Chrome; Chrome w/Blue Back & Orange Belly; Chrome w/Black Back & Orange Belly; Flitter Shad; White w/Red Head; Clown; Black
Jerk Baits: Chrome w/Blue Back & Orange Belly; Chrome w/Black Back & Orange Belly; Clown; T-Shad; Sour Grape; Gold Rogue; Laser Perch
Crankbaits: Crawdad Green… Brown… or Red; Shad; Citrus; Fire Tiger; T-Shad; Gold Shiner; Black; Oxbow Bream
Where to stay: There is nearly an unlimited choice of motels, hotels, cottages and camping facilities available for visitors to the Harrisburg, Lancaster, Selinsgrove, Middletown and other areas of the “Susky”. We recommend…
River Front Campground Located in Duncannon, PA, Phone: 717- 834- 5252 A great location on the river. Boat and Canoe rentals and the owners transport you up the river for a float trip and bring your vehicle back to the campground. River fishin’ oriented!!
Days Inn Harrisburg Just off I-81 at Exit , North Front Street Phone: 800-325-2525 Reasonable rates but this is a multi-story hotel with very little room for boats or battery charging arrangements.
Super 8 Motel Just off I-81 at Exit , 4125 North Front Street Phone: 800-800-8000 Reasonable rates. Accommodations for boats if you request a ground floor room on the backside of complex. MY CHOICE!!
Places to Check: Here is a list of businesses you may wish to contact for more detailed information, guidance and help…
Harrisburg Area Chamber of Commerce A complete source of hotel, motel, dining and other important information. Phone: 717-255-3252 Web Site: www.visithhc.com
Harrisburg Farm Show Complex This is the location for the annual “Boat, RV and Camping” show and the famous “Fishing, Hunting, Shooting, Boating and Outdoor” shows held each year the end of January and the beginning of February… Respectively. There are also the “Farm Show”, “Gun and Knife Show”, “Builders Show” and several other events that may be of interest to you. Phone: 800-511-8376 Web Site: www.agriculture.state.pa.us/fscomplex/
PA Fish Commission If you have any questions regarding fishing regulations, seasons and creel limits, sanctioned “Trophy” areas on the river, boating regulations, etc, these are the folks to contact. They also have, free for the asking, an EXCELLENT MAP that will show you the location of all of the boat ramps. Phone: 717-705-7800 Web Site: www.fish.state.pa.us
Susquehanna River Conditions It is always a good idea to know the level and condition of the “Susky” when you are planning a day on the river. Levels can run from approximately 2.0 feet, which is VERY low, to a high of 14.5 feet or more… which is VERY high. I personally will not go on the river if it is running at 6.0 or better. Some of the “Rats” and “Guides” LOVE high water, as it congregates the fish along shorelines and in eddy pockets. BUT… My life is worth more than ANY fish! Fish at your own RISK! Phone: 888-881-7555 Web Site: NONE
“Susky” Fishin’ Guides: It seems like anyone and everyone in the Harrisburg area, and from as far away as Baltimore and Hagerstown, MD, and the Washington D.C. area is a “Guide” these days. I HIGHLY recommend you stick with the “LOCAL” guides who are REAL guides, who are the MOST experienced on the river and spend nearly every day there. Not some “out-of-town” guide or booking agent with guides who only see the river when they have a client. It’s your money, but here are our recommends…
Good Times Guide Service… A well established, reputable and experienced Susquehanna River guide service owned and operated by Jay Boettner and his great Dad, Jack (or Pappy as his friends know him). These fellows know as much, if not more, than most of the “Rats” in the area put together. Jay and Jack win a large portion of the local and area bass tournaments and are two of the BEST! It is a real “toss-up” between these fellows and Max McAllister and I would eagerly spend my money with either. “Good Times” is equipped with the latest and greatest in “Jet Boat” technology and will show you a “GOOD TIME”… “ANYTIME”! PHONE: 717-728-3000 Web Site: Good Times Guide Service
See our “Guides” and “Pro Staff” sections for more info on Jay and Jack Boettner
Koinania Guide Service… “Koinania” means “Fellowship” and that is exactly what you will have with Rod Bates. Rod is a very knowledgeable and experienced river guide and one of the most honest, reliable and patient men I know. His guide service is an EXCELLENT choice if you have children, an older family member or the entire family wants to have a good fishin’ day. He is super patient and will take the time to instruct you or the kids in the “ways of the river”. He also offers “wading” and “canoe or small boat” float trips on the “Susky”… Something that few area guides offer, and a REAL exciting experience if you have never done this. He also runs one of the newest, well equipped, most powerful and fastest “Jet Boats” on the river. Give Rod a call! PHONE: 717-805-7082 (Cell) or 717-886-6172 (Pager) Web Site: Koinania
See our “Guides” and “Pro Staff” sections for more info on Rod Bates
Where to eat: Now we come to the REAL important part of any fishin’ trip. And you can believe that the guys at “E-Bait Express” know where the BEST chow is located. “One must keep up ones strength to battle the fabled “Bronze Bomber” of the Susquehanna”! Try these…
Nathan’s Café… Located on US Rte. 15 South, just a short hop from I-81 at the “Enola” exit and only about 100 yards north of Hull’s Marine South. A small, family operated bar and steak house, located in the bottom floor of an old two-story home, the food is EXCELLENT and reasonably priced. Great steaks, fried mushrooms, fresh French fries with the skins on and yum-yum stuffed mushroom caps. A whole gang of us drive up to Harrisburg about twice a month, JUST to eat at Nathan’s.
PHONE: 717-728-7526 Reservations accepted!
The Glass Lounge… Located on Front Street, on the shore of the Susquehanna River, just west of I-81 about a mile or so. A mid-sized, family operated “Steak House” with beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc available. GREAT steaks, seafood and just about anything else your taste buds might crave. PHONE: 717- 255-9919
Summerdale Diner… Ever know a Greek family to own a restaurant and it NOT have GREAT food??? Neither have I!! A wonderful choice for breakfast and the “Pro Staff” ALL meet and eat there. They will pack you a lunch to take out on the river, and the dinners are some of the best around. Steaks, seafood, and many other entrees are their specialty. Their pastries, cakes, pies and desserts are to DIE for… And believe me I KNOW a GREAT dessert when I have one. PHONE: 717-732-9841
If you have never fished the Susquehanna River, make it a point to do so sometime soon. You will NOT be disappointed. Even in the hot “Dog Days” of summer, a cooling float trip and a bag of “Salty Spider Jigs” will do wonders for the soul. If you enjoy fishing tournaments, check with the boys at Tight Lines Marine and they can help you secure a schedule. Or drop me a line and I will help you plan a trip to some of the BEST Smallmouth water anywhere!
Tight Lines,
Will Whitehead
"Pro Staff" Director
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