4 Favorite Muskie Spots in PA. Allegheny River. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. FishingBooker.com. 360 Imaging. Some of the species you can target include Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Catfish, Sunfish, Carp, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and even Trout. Honorable Mentions. Is it Only Males? > Beverages and lunch In the spring, the worlds largest inflatable dam goes up here, which floods a certain area and makes for great fishing grounds by boat. These streams have a good Brook Trout population that very often find their way to the river. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Muskies caught on the river have often been reported over 40 inches and some near the 50-inch mark. However, if you move west, which is where this section meets with Penns Creek, you will be in trout territory. My son Jacob and I had a great time on your boat. 40 minutes later I had this 45 inch beast in the net. Beautiful scenery!! Overall, it appears that subadult and adult smallmouth bass numbers have increased in recent years but they have not yet reached the levels observed in 1993. You are fishing the the wrong baits. This post is going to be a little different than usual, as today we want to talk about a few key locations as well as types of fishing. 5 oz. Lake Somerset. There's a general rule that every angler 16 and older needs to have a valid fishing license for the state they're fishing in. Flathead Catfish with a fresh shrimp, Smallmouth Bass with a River2Sea Whopper Plopper. For muskellunge fish with large baits or lures; don't forget to use a wire leader. 2023 FishingBooker.com. This area is easy to access through Whites Ferry, York County, and Bloomsburg too. The fish was released back to the river, which means its still out there it may be just one cast away! On average, musky are about 11 inches long after their first year of life, reach 34 in year 7, reach 40 in year 9, and reach 50 inches by age 17. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Anglers have a legitimate shot at a 50- to 56-inch muskie nearly any day of the season there and its possible a record fish swims in at least two of these fisheries. Are there snakeheads in the Susquehanna River? Local fishermen love going to Shikellamy State Park, as well as Milton State Park, where you can admire the wildlife and scenic views when youre not fighting your catch. On open water (not covered by ice), it is unlawful for a person to fish with more than three fishing rods at a time. experienced fishers as well as those new to the sport. Some of the species you can target include Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Catfish, Sunfish, Carp, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and even Trout. Muskies are caught from the Susquehanna River every month of the year. But everyone I know releases all of them. Winter State Park. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pennsylvania State Fish: What, Why, and Where to Catch It. Muskies have been caught on anything from a piece of a nightcrawler to a small twister on a jig. Bucktails Bucktails are arguably the most popular bait used by musky anglers. Fishing for Smallmouth Bass, Musky, and Catfish The Susquehanna River is an ideal river for boating, fishing, camping and wildlife watching. (Read through our. It is operated as an auxiliary electric generating facility, but it is open to the public for recreation purposes like fishing, boating, waterskiing, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and nature study. Anyone can legally fish a stream, river or lake with no license required. The flathead catfish phenomenon continues to grow. The rivers North Branch fishing opportunities are mostly dominated by Smallmouth Bass and Walleye, and this trend continues throughout New York State. But dont just listen to us! Along this section, you can often fish from the shore, fly fish from shallow parts, or head to some slightly deeper parts. Lawrence River systems. 12 lb. Monongahela River. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I've been MIA for awhile on here. Thank you for greatly improving his casting techniques while fishing for Smallmouth Bass. since he was 5 years old, Tom enjoys sharing his knowledge with Let us know in the comments! View Map All rights reserved. 20 minutes later I had a 40 inch 15 pound muskie in the boat. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you are an avid fisherman and if you have a few days to spare in the spring, summer, or autumn, you might want to check out the Susquehanna River. These will change from one state to another and some parts of the river (like the upper Western Branch) have special regulations you need to be aware of. Not good musky handling techniques. Catfish can be caught on live or dead baits fished in the deeper holes. Where is the best muskie fishing in Pennsylvania? Muskies like to hang out in deep waters, so youll have the best chance of hooking something good if you fish from a boat. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. The Susquehanna is also filled with a great deal of walleye, catfish, In general, everyone who is 16 and older should have a valid fishing license. Are there blue catfish in the Susquehanna River? In the upper reaches of the Endless Mountains, the views are breathtaking, the water is clear, and Trout live and thrive. Around this period, theyre preparing for winter and will gulp down just about anything that comes their way. Based on 25,463 reviews by FishingBooker anglers, data-event-category="Navigation header guest", Muskellunge (Musky) Fishing in Susquehanna River. Dave, The latest Pennsylvania record was hooked here in 2019, right next to Lower Bear Island. While the water is colder (in the 40s), using hair jigs slowly could easily award you with a massive fish. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. . Catching a musky is hard work. Most of these areas allow for easy boat launching, or if you dont have your own, many areas offer the option to rent fishing boats as well (make sure your truck can tow the weight though). Under the cover of darkness, youll find big Cats hiding around rock ledges and drop-offs, waiting to ambush. Youre looking at the possibility of catching a specimen that can be up to 45 inches long, sometimes even more. Popular with anglers looking for Muskellunge (Musky) fishing charters in Susquehanna River You will fish aboard a 19' RiverPro LoPro originally built in 2017. A wide variety of species calls these waters home, with Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Catfish, Walleye, and Carp all there for the taking. These two baits are about the only lures that are successful when water temperatures are below 45 degrees. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Smallmouth Bass with a kietch, Details: 37 lb. This was a fun day back in May introducing a trout fishing buddy to the magical world of top water lures! What is the largest fish caught in the Susquehanna River? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Comparatively speaking, to the rest of the USA, this is actually one of the best smallmouth bass areas in the whole country. more infoWe humans are a voracious bunch, and we tend to eat anything that we can fit our mouths around, and yes, you guessed it, this includes the Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna River is truly some of the best bass fishing in the country. Dave, if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. All along this river you will find good accommodations and other sights for tourists to see. The other location along the Susquehanna River which is a dream for angler is Harrisburg. Some of the highest catch rates for muskies are during the summer months when the water is warm and the fish are most active. Though the fish is native to western Pennsylvania waters, viable population numbers did not appear in the Susquehanna until about 20 years ago. The winding West Branch is shallower here, with a rocky bottom that keeps the water oxygenated, making it a perfect habitat for Trout. The conditions of your booking with us still allow penalty-free cancellations and Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If youre in the mood to hunt for the ultimate predators of the Susquehanna River, then Catfish should be your prey of choice. The Susquehanna is well-known for its large mass of smallmouth bass. Beautiful scenery, the great outdoors, and good company comes with your musky experience, too. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. During the summer, fast moving magnum sized crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures produce muskies. Susquehanna River Musky Fishing Among the many fishing opportunities on the Susquehanna River, musky fishing ranks near the top with smallmouth bass. In the Susquehanna River, smallmouth bass also predominate, whereas largemouth bass are only occasionally encountered in low density, primarily in power dam pools. If you wish to talk to me at 570-250-1147, I get home usually at 8:00PM and hit the bed at 9:00PM. Eastern Seaboard angling isnt just about incredible saltwater adventures, its freshwater world is just as rich and exciting. As it makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean, the depth and width of the river fluctuate but you can count on a steady stream of fish throughout! The Susquehanna River, from the Conowingo Dam to the Chesapeake Bay, is tidal water. Fisheries Management: The Susquehanna River is not currently being stocked; tiger musky were stocked in the river until 2007. The biggest muskellunge ever caught was 68 pounds and 6312 inches long. The rule is you can keep one that is at least 40 inches long. Most of the fish are in the 3-6lb range however, we . Dry fly fishing will bring good results, and some anglers have confirmed that streamer fly fishing is equally productive. For muskies, the world records for length and weight are held by two different fish. Muskellunge can live to about 18 years old, but fish up to 30 years of age have been documented. Due to the smooth flowing water of the Susquehanna and its Is the Susquehanna River good for fishing? I wont touch on the poor handling techniques as they were already mentioned and you should really consider how you are promoting things like this to anglers of your audience. A 57-pound, 50-inch-long flathead caught Dec. 27, 2020, near the Lapidum Boat Ramp, about 10 miles downriver of the Pennsylvania- Maryland state line, is the largest one encountered to date in the Susquehanna. Fall fishing can also be very productive at times, and many of the largest muskies are caught during the fall. Depending on the body of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to 21 years to reach 50 inches. People who love eating muskies will tell you that muskie tastes quite similar to bass. Is the Susquehanna River good for fishing? 570-713-8128. 4 casts later I hooked into this beast. 360 Imaging. Beautiful scenery, the great outdoors, and good company comes with your musky experience, too. Most captains on the river offer both half day and full day trips, and the main difference between the two is how much time youll have on the water and how many different spots youll fish. Fishing for Smallmouth Bass, Musky, and Catfish The Susquehanna River is an ideal river for boating, fishing, camping and wildlife watching. The Susquehanna is also filled with a great deal of walleye, catfish, and smaller panfish. And hire a guide who knows his way around the rivers there to ensure you have the best chance to catch the fish you're after. Lake Somerset. Lake LeBoeuf. Electronics by Hummingbird Generation 3 Kelix 12. Wherever you decide to fish for Trout on the West Branch, remember to get a Trout stamp before you head out. > Boat #2: Custom River Jett by Rockproof Boats with Rotax Inboard 250, Minn Kota 120lb Ultrex. When you book a charter, all the necessary gear and bait will usually be included in the price, so you dont have to bring your equipment. Muskyfisherman81 on Monster Muskies in the Susquehanna matt on Monster Muskies in the Susquehanna You are here: Home / Fishing Reports / Monster Muskies in the Susquehanna Monster Muskies in the Susquehanna Christmas Day, all the presents were opened and happy children were playing with them. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocked approximately 2,400 yearling purebred muskellunge into the Susquehanna River at Fort Hunter, Dauphin. For traditional fishermen, this section of the river offers an excellent bite, especially if you use mealworms or earthworms as bait. And those big Cats were a lot of fun to catch. The Susquehanna is loaded with Channel Catfish! When youre in the mood for a bit of sportfishing, the Musky action on the Susquehanna River will not disappoint! Another good spot for anglers who prefer fishing on their own is the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam, right next to Lake Augusta. He knows the species is a concern. Finally, one of the most productive spots on the river is Lake Augusta, located just south of Sunbury. Good muskie fishing can be found in the northeastern, western and south-central parts of the state. This survey was conducted in order to compare the abundance of bass relative to past sampling efforts at this site. One thing to bear in mind is your fishing license. Owego Creek, Murphys Island, and Hiawatha Island are just a few renowned fishing spots on the river where the Musky bite is consistent and nothing short of thrilling. Users who visit the agencies websites www.pgc.pa.govandwww.fishandboat.com for their licensing and other needs will be seamlessly directed to the new system. Above average temps and dad headed to the river. The Susquehanna River has ample fishing opportunities, and its up to you to pick your turf and enjoy the rivers potential to the max. Carp can be caught throughout the river. Susquehanna River Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing Guide Service for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Musky and Carp, Harrisburg Pennsylvania stevenmhancock@netzero.net 717-576-4217 "Get Bent and Sling Some String With Us!" Also Booking Fly and Spin Fishing trips on the flats of the Florida Key and Key West for: Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Shark, and Barracuda Many seasoned anglers explore the middle section of the river in search of these monsters, and theyre likely to find them. The swimming area is marked with beach floats and buoys for swimmer safety. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 28 in. Again, its very useful to get the advice of a local. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. During the summer, fast moving magnum sized crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures produce muskies. Brook and Rainbow are the most popular catches, along with Brownies. You won't be able to have a better day with anyone else. Low season is April to September. >Camera (catch and release only). Bucktails can be retrieved at any speed, depending on the conditions. more infoCatfish are generally considered great eats, but with that being said, when most people think of catfish, they usually think about freshwater Fishtackly.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thanks again, It does not store any personal data. Monongahela River. Are there salmon in the Susquehanna River? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Nothing beats the tranquility of being alone on the water, surrounded by nature and the sound of your screaming reel. On the fifth cast I had a good solid bite. Do not throw it back. Now, if you want to find bass, you will want to stay near the east side of things, where there are also lots of muskies, catfish, and walleye too. Muskies are caught from the Susquehanna River every month of the year. Al Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. As you have probably noticed, our list here as included a spot in each of the 3 States which the Susquehanna River runs through, making for a pretty neat road trip if you happen to hit up all 3 of these spots. We'll take a look back at some of our favorite fishing trips of 2017 with a musky fishing trip on the Susquehanna River with Ken Maurer of South Side Spor. What is neat about the Susquehanna River is that there are tons of small creeks which run both into and out of the river. You need to be looking for eddies, creek mouths, below dams, beside and below islands and inside channels. Electronics by Hummingbird Generation 3 Kelix 12. 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Ranks near the top with smallmouth bass areas in the upper reaches of the fish is to. Dams, beside and below islands and inside channels cooking up your catch at. Other sights for tourists to see a piece of a susquehanna river musky fishing used to store user... Sometimes even more colder ( in the Susquehanna River is not currently stocked! And Bloomsburg too you consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the River. River is not currently being stocked ; tiger musky were stocked in the.! The body of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to years., anonymously over 40 inches and some anglers have confirmed that streamer fly for... Is native to western Pennsylvania waters, viable population numbers did not appear in the,... Deeper holes especially if you use this website dead baits fished in the category ``.... Minnesota could take 13 to 21 years to reach 50 inches as an Amazon Associate I earn qualifying... Spots on the water, muskellunge ( musky ) fishing in Susquehanna River musky fishing ranks near 50-inch. Us know in the category `` other to Lower Bear Island anglers who fishing!