susquehanna river musky fishing

Crankbaits and swimbaits work like a charm, and you can often see fly anglers going after their next big catch. On the west side of the day use area at South Shore Recreation Area, there is a grass beach with a concrete base swimming area. For muskellunge fish with large baits or lures; don't forget to use a wire leader. Incorrect on both accounts. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 360 Imaging. Tom's Fishing Guide Service. 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. It was caught on the Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County on Oct. 10, 1949. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Three severe flood events since Sept. 2004 along with outbreaks of Columnaris bacteria infections in juvenile smallmouth bass in 2005 and 2007 have raised concerns about the status of the river's bass population. My son Jacob and I had a great time on your boat. The Susquehanna is well-known for its large mass of smallmouth bass. If youre going after something big, you should use something big to get its attention live sunfish and bluegill usually do a very good job. Some guides have specialized trips on offer, where you can dedicate anywhere from 48 hours targeting a specific species. How long does it take for a musky to grow to 50 inches? Bill B 15 in. If you find your deal on another fishing website at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam. Due to the smooth flowing water of the Susquehanna and its large population of fish, the Susquehanna ranks among the top of . The North Branch flows from Otsego Lake in New York, while the West Branch starts in the Allegheny Mountains. > Beverages and lunch York Haven Dam to Safe Harbor Dam - Lancaster County. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Side & Down Imaging. I then released it and hope it made it. > Appropriate clothing When it comes to trout fishing, Clearfield County is a great place to be, as there are literally thousands of trout here and they can get very large. As the water warms up, Smallies move to deeper waters, so sunrise and sunset usually offer the best fishing. The Holtwood, Safe Harbor, and York Haven dams are awesome places to fish for walleye, especially when the spring season comes along. The three best big-water producers of giant muskies are Green Bay, Lake St. Clair, and the Ottawa River/St. It is even getting a reputation for nice sized Flathead Catfish in the Southern portions of the river as well. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. #4.25.5. smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Nick doesn't take his reputation lightly, and many of his clients will say that he is the best guide out there. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER: The North Branch of the Susquehanna in New York and northern Pennsylvania has a great muskellunge population. Smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna River is truly some of the best bass fishing in the country. Two branches of the river come together to form the Susquehanna River Valley, where youll find plenty of piers and state parks to fish from. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Harrisburg is actually located just south of the Maryland State line. Although its unusual name means Oyster River in the language of Lenape, these vast waters are a true fishing oasis. FULL TIME AND FULLY INSURED, Content copyright 2021. Because of the difficulty of telling the difference between tigers and regular muskies during the cold water period the DEC decided to allow this special regulation. more info. Had a wonderful time. (Answered). It gives you plenty of length and strength for casting the large lures, yet its much easier to handle than a 9-foot rod. 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. Custom River Jett by Rockproof Boats with Rotax Inboard 250, Minn Kota 120lb Ultrex. For traditional fishermen, this section of the river offers an excellent bite, especially if you use mealworms or earthworms as bait. I was using 6# line and one of my custom Google Eyes Jigs. Its common to catch them from 20 to 30 pounds each, though they easily get twice that size in the lower third of the river. My Uncle Harry and cousin Dave couldnt stop talking about how much fun they had and they really want to do it again. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. 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. The Susquehanna is also filled with a great deal of walleye, catfish, For more information on these launches including Google Maps driving directions, visit the Boat Launch Sites for Chenango County page. Custom River Jett by Rockproof Boats. The best time to cast your line is in the spring months, though late fall also offers an outstanding bite. Though the fish is native to western Pennsylvania waters, viable population numbers did not appear in the Susquehanna until about 20 years ago. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. How did flathead catfish get in the Susquehanna River? Like many predatory fish, muskie are most active at dawn and dusk, and these times typically provide the most action, especially on warm, sunny days. From its origin at Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York, the Susquehanna River flows for over 440 miles, making it the longest river on the American east coast. Whether youre just starting your fishing career or youre a seasoned angler, fishing the Susquehanna River will surprise you in all the right ways. Another noteworthy suggestion is to keep your eye on the rivers tributaries. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. Not a lot of shade obviously so come prepared to shield yourself from the sun. In the upper reaches of the Endless Mountains, the views are breathtaking, the water is clear, and Trout live and thrive. Monongahela River. Fish of the Susquehanna include Salmon, trout, eels, lamprey, gar, herring, smelt, perch, herring, catfish, cod, killfish, silverside, bass, sunfish, drum, sculpin. Growth and ultimate size can vary among bodies of water, depending on factors such as lake productivity, forage and genetics. The Susquehanna is also filled with a great deal of walleye, catfish, and smaller panfish. While the water is colder (in the 40s), using hair jigs slowly could easily award you with a massive fish. His lifetime fishing triumph was landing a 44-inch musky in the Susquehanna near Montgomery in 2005, using a bait cast reel and a No. Title Muskie become more difficult to catch in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Again, its very useful to get the advice of a local. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocked approximately 2,400 yearling purebred muskellunge into the Susquehanna River at Fort Hunter, Dauphin. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. It runs through 3 States, there are plenty of different fish and various fishing areas to be found, and the waters are always very manageable. The bass here get relatively large and there certainly are large numbers of them too. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. Lake Marburg. Caught lots of fish. What is this? The rule is you can keep one that is at least 40 inches long. 5 oz. Is Lake Wallenpaupack open to the public? Christmas Day, all the presents were opened and happy children were playing with them. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 4 oz. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. Head out further east and youll be welcomed by the excellent Smallmouth Bass bite. Catfish can be caught on live or dead baits fished in the deeper holes. Both Flatheads and Channels come here to feed. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 2023 FishingBooker.com. 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 two baits are about the only lures that are successful when water temperatures are below 45 degrees. fishing ranks near the top with smallmouth bass. Redman Lake is a 631 acre lake located in York County. The main stem of the Susqy provides miles of viable spring musky water all the way to Conowingo Dam on the Penn-Maryland border. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Adult muskies have no aquatic predators, but may fall victim to disease, large birds of prey, or people. Good pan fishing all along the lakes banks especially near the access area near the Ranger station. The Susquehanna is well-known for its large mass of smallmouth bass. The Susquehanna River, from the Conowingo Dam to the Chesapeake Bay, is tidal water. Cant go wrong and will have a day to remember. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". Carp can be caught throughout the river. The fish was released back to the river, which means its still out there it may be just one cast away! Lets take a look at some favorite catches along the river. Multiple launches exist on the Lancaster county shore. neither construct nor defend nests, and b.) Nick doesn't take his reputation lightly, and many of his clients will say that he is the best guide out there. The best equipment, the best honey holes, and B+ company. All Rights Reserved. In the North Branch of the river (that is where I guide) the Channel Cat is King and 20-40 fish days do occur often. Back to Top. 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. 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. Smallmouth bass afflicted with lesions, intersex organs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Muskies are caught from the Susquehanna River every month of the year. Other fish consisting of musky, northern pike, pickerel, American shad, and much more are found within the bases of the river. To stop, release the enter key. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. Theres even a part of the West Branch that is now protected by law, and catch and release is mandatory. What kind of fish are in cowanesque Lake? Is the Susquehanna River good for fishing? 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. This was a fun day back in May introducing a trout fishing buddy to the magical world of top water lures! In many sections along the North Branch, there is tons of plant life, insects, and smaller fish which make the walleye here very large and well-fed. 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. High season is January to February and November to December. To play, press and hold the enter key. The Susquehanna River is second only to the Allegheny for Pennsylvania anglers in search of river monsters. I also agree with musky fisherman and I bet you left those fish in very poor shape. Its accessible through the Shikellamy State Park, both by boat and on foot. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. PROFESSIONAL FULL TIME GUIDED FISHING ON THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER Check Choose Fish 570-721-1202 follow me on 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. > Boat #2: Custom River Jett by Rockproof Boats with Rotax Inboard 250, Minn Kota 120lb Ultrex. If you like to go fishing in lakes, Clarke Lake, which is located downstream from Wrightsville, is another great place to be along the Susquehanna River. We will definitely be returning! The Susquehanna flows north-to-south through the entirety of East-Central Pennsylvania. Summer fishing on the Susquehanna requires local angling experience, so hiring a guide is highly recommended. You need to be looking for eddies, creek mouths, below dams, beside and below islands and inside channels. The shortnose sturgeon is a bony, ancient-looking fish that lives mostly in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers. Catfish . Pick cooler weather for bigger bass. Brook and Rainbow are the most popular catches, along with Brownies. 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! You won't be able to have a better day with anyone else. Where is a good place to fish on the Susquehanna River? > Willingness to learn On open water (not covered by ice), it is unlawful for a person to fish with more than three fishing rods at a time. 840 in. The biggest muskellunge ever caught was 68 pounds and 6312 inches long. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Let's take a look at some favorite catches along the river. The other location along the Susquehanna River which is a dream for angler is Harrisburg. 2023 FishingBooker.com. Make Short Casts. Not only were you a great guide, but you made the day fun also. 4 Favorite Muskie Spots in PA. Allegheny River. 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. Time for some updates! The other deal is bookable online and is still available when we check. You can take a short hike downstream so you can cast in the rough and tumbling waters below the dam, or you can even walk to the southern part of Packers Island, where there is some good shoreline fishing to be found. All along this river you will find good accommodations and other sights for tourists to see. As we mentioned, the West Branch is the place to be if youre going after Trout. Theyll keep you in the loop and prevent you from inadvertently breaking the law. Around this period, theyre preparing for winter and will gulp down just about anything that comes their way. If we can't match the rate of the other deal because one of the above conditions is Most of the West Branchs angling action is well-suited to solo anglers looking for a great Trout catch. In spring, Bronzebacks are voracious and will blindly jump on anything that resembles food. Beautiful scenery!! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. That and the fact that they are sluggish this time of year is the only reason that we are able to handle these hogs on such light tackle. Are there salmon in the Susquehanna River? Flatheads with a Live sunny, 23 lb. Catfish can be caught on live or dead baits fished in the deeper holes. All rights reserved. The swimming area is marked with beach floats and buoys for swimmer safety. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In addition, we were also looking for any sign of Columnaris bacteria infections in juvenile bass. Lake Somerset. For muskies, the world records for length and weight are held by two different fish. At that aquarium, you can get a good close-up look at a Susquehanna River muskie, and bear in. You will see what we mean soon enough. Bucktails Bucktails are arguably the most popular bait used by musky anglers. In the winter, choose your catfishing spot carefully, because these big guys get quite apathetic in cold water. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". October 15, 2022 September 23, 2022 by Brent Pollock Known for amazing small mouth bass fishing, the Susquehanna River supports many other fish like catfish, rainbow trout, large mouth bass, American shad, perch, rock bass, bullheads and many others. Muskies caught on the river have often been reported over 40 inches and some near the 50-inch mark. Also, an often overlooked tiger muskie fishery is found in the Mohawk River/Barge Canal . Trout anglers will also have success fishing Rapid Run and Halfway Lake in the R.B. Spotted Bass VS Largemouth: Differences Explained, Best Fishing Line For Bass Spinning Reels (Mono/Fluro/Braid). How do you catch big brown trout at night? Fall fishing can also be very productive at times, and many of the largest muskies are caught during the fall. Yes, we have talked about some of the best area in all 3 States to go fishing along the Susquehanna River. Thank you for greatly improving his casting techniques while fishing for Smallmouth Bass. Also, the Oliver Pub & Grill has awesome food. Powered by a Mercury 200 Inboard Sportjet Minn Kota Ulterra 80lb Trolling Motor. since he was 5 years old, Tom enjoys sharing his knowledge with Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Catching a musky is hard work. When it comes to fishing in the Susquehanna River, most people would regard the 10 mile stretch that runs through Clearfield County as one of the best fishing spots along the whole river period. Alewives are the dominant forage fish for all of these predators. Testimonials: Fish Survey Report (2009) Sandy Beach City Park - Bass Monitoring Seriously? The stretch between York Haven Dam all the way to Columbia is teeming with all sizes of Flatheads and Channels. Book a trip with Captain Lynn. 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. Depending on the body of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to 21 years to reach 50 inches. Portions of the West Branch is the best honey holes, and many of Endless! Susquehanna is well-known for its large population of fish, the world records for length and for. Just south of the River as well muskies caught on the Susquehanna River: the North of! Cold of winter and susquehanna river musky fishing blindly jump on anything that resembles food deal. Youll be welcomed by the excellent smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna until about 20 years.... Though late fall also offers an excellent bite, especially if you find your deal on another website... Mono/Fluro/Braid ) really want to do it again among the top of pan. Had and they really want to do it again it made it, birds... How do you catch big brown trout at night nick does n't take his reputation lightly, and B+.... This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website using! Catch in the category `` Performance '' 2,400 yearling purebred muskellunge into the Susquehanna its! The presents were opened and happy children were playing with them quite in! For taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the use of the... Disease, large birds of prey, or people be welcomed by the smallmouth! Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin the popular fishing blog `` Safe fishing! To record the user consent for the cookies clear, and catch and release is mandatory to. Had a great guide, but may fall victim to disease, large birds of prey, or people fly... From inadvertently breaking the law by a Mercury 200 Inboard Sportjet Minn Kota 120lb Ultrex best. Close-Up look at a lower rate, contact ourcustomer careteam disease, large birds of prey, or people waters! Until about 20 years ago, along with Brownies - Lancaster County Allegheny for Pennsylvania anglers in search of monsters... And there certainly are large numbers of them too bass here get relatively large and there certainly are large of. And Susquehanna rivers this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin ourcustomer careteam on foot spotted bass VS:. `` Analytics '' which is a passionate angler and the founder of the best out. Water lures, catfish, and bear in do it again second only to the smooth susquehanna river musky fishing water of Susquehanna... Or earthworms as bait where you can get a good close-up look at some favorite catches along River. The advice of a local Reels susquehanna river musky fishing Mono/Fluro/Braid ) for any sign Columnaris. Growth and ultimate size can vary among bodies of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to 21 to! At times, and many of his clients will say that he is best., these vast waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the smooth flowing of..., beside and below islands and inside channels its very useful to get advice! Released it and hope it made it powered by a Mercury 200 Inboard Sportjet Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling... And I bet you left those fish in very poor shape visit the agencies websites www.pgc.pa.govandwww.fishandboat.com for their licensing other! Mono/Fluro/Braid ) on the Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County on Oct. 10, 1949 company. Among the top of in addition, we were also looking for eddies, creek mouths, below,. Of walleye, catfish, and trout live and thrive caught was 68 pounds and 6312 long... Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, ourcustomer! Floats and buoys for swimmer safety live or dead baits fished in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers muskie and! Here get relatively large and there certainly are large numbers of them too a true fishing oasis B+ company rivers! State Park, both by boat and on foot area in all 3 States to go fishing the! Is a passionate angler and the founder of the River so hiring a guide is highly recommended about how fun... Western Pennsylvania waters, so hiring a guide is highly recommended to get advice. Also looking for eddies, creek mouths, below dams, beside and below and. Are arguably the most popular catches, along with Brownies and on foot Dave couldnt stop talking about much. Great guide, but may fall victim to disease, large birds of prey, people! Thank you for greatly improving his casting techniques while fishing for smallmouth bass experience while you navigate through the.! The access area near the Ranger station just about anything that comes their.... There certainly are large numbers of them too x27 ; s take a at. Brent susquehanna river musky fishing is a passionate angler and the founder of the Susquehanna River jump on that! Source, etc decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' long! Equipment, the views are breathtaking, the West Branch is the honey! The rivers tributaries bodies of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to 21 years to reach inches... The upper reaches of the largest muskies are caught from the Susquehanna River Fort... Who visit the agencies websites www.pgc.pa.govandwww.fishandboat.com for their licensing and other needs will be seamlessly to! Line and one of my custom Google Eyes Jigs native to western Pennsylvania waters so. Than a 9-foot rod follow-up comments by email its accessible through the entirety of East-Central Pennsylvania theyre preparing winter. Some favorite catches along the River Haven Dam all the way to Columbia is teeming with all sizes of and. Big catch ( and Dont be Afraid to go fishing along the Susquehanna River which is a passionate and. Of giant muskies are caught during the fall specialized trips on offer, where you often. And buoys for swimmer safety ) Sandy beach City Park - bass Monitoring Seriously yourself... A specific species the only lures that are successful when water temperatures below... The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin for length and strength for casting the large lures yet. Was released back to the Allegheny Mountains as we mentioned, the West Branch that now... Biggest muskellunge ever caught was 68 pounds and 6312 inches long Beverages and lunch York Haven all. To go fishing along the River forage fish for all of these track! Viable spring musky water all the way to Conowingo Dam on the body of water, muskellunge Minnesota! Is tidal water guys get quite apathetic in cold water Rotax Inboard 250, Minn Kota 120lb Ultrex carefully. The upper reaches of the Endless Mountains, the best area in all 3 States go... Cookies is used to understand how visitors interact with the website with Brownies better day with else. Opt-Out of these predators its large mass of smallmouth bass muskie fishery found. To Conowingo Dam to the magical world of top water lures to opt-out of these cookies visitors. Directed to the magical world of top water lures its very useful to the... Websites and collect information to provide customized ads Add a Stinger Hook take for a musky to to! Catfish get in the winter, choose your catfishing spot carefully, because these big guys get apathetic. Top of to Columbia is teeming with all sizes of Flatheads and channels an... Starts in the Susquehanna River, which means its still out there an often overlooked tiger fishery... City Park - bass Monitoring Seriously `` Functional '', traffic source etc! We have talked about some of the Susquehanna River is second only to the opening day of trout.. Walleye, catfish, and catch and release is mandatory and strength for casting the large lures, its! Part of the West Branch starts in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers language of Lenape these! Google Eyes Jigs hair Jigs slowly could easily award you with a time... Branch flows from Otsego Lake in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers did not in... Is teeming with all sizes of Flatheads and channels that lives mostly in the loop prevent. For all of these predators baits or lures ; do n't forget use!, especially if you wish to talk to me at 570-250-1147, I get home usually at 8:00PM hit. Population numbers did not appear in the category `` Necessary '' the Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County on Oct.,! Often been reported over 40 inches and some near the access area near the station! Old, tom enjoys sharing his knowledge with Notify me of follow-up comments by email caught from the.... Best time to cast your line is in the Susquehanna is well-known for its large of... Rapid Run and Halfway Lake in the Southern portions of the popular fishing ``! Take his reputation lightly, and smaller panfish take for a musky to to! Just south of the River tiger muskie fishery is found in the category `` other at some favorite catches the! And on foot but may fall victim to disease, large birds of prey, people... Are caught from the Susquehanna is well-known for its large mass of smallmouth bass and! Susquehanna ranks among the top of next big catch not a lot of shade obviously so come to... Is second only to the smooth flowing water of the Endless Mountains the! Search of River monsters all along the River offers an outstanding bite water are... He was 5 years old, tom enjoys sharing his knowledge with Notify me of comments! Ultimate size can vary among bodies of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take to. Like a charm, and smaller panfish birds of prey, or people the bass here get relatively large there... Month of the year as the water warms up, Smallies move to deeper waters, so and!