It then flows south all the way to Northumberland, Pennsylvania where it meets the West Branch then continues south into Maryland and eventually into the Chesapeake Bay. As the industry’s leading bass magazine we simply provide you fresh new features every season. Winter bass fishing on the Susquehanna River in the months of January and February is usually impossible. Devastating evidence is racking up that indicates smallmouth bass fish populations on the Lower Susquehanna River, and elsewhere across the Chesapeake watershed, are on the decline. It is rather, and always will be, solely focused on bass fishing. The Water Trail. The river is really slow here, and there are a lot of pockets where it’s completely still. Smallmouth bass live in many habitats ranging from cool waters of rivers and streams to deep reservoirs and crystal-clear natural lakes. It’s really open, there’s very little vegetation, and you can walk up and down the entire shore in boots. If you’re fishing a warm summer morning, get a ¼ ounce buzzbait and hit all the grass beds along the bank of those islands, cutting the river in half. It has hundreds of miles of fishable water, with most of the riverbanks running through Pennsylvania, accessible by shore or boat. Smallmouth bass recovered from years of disease on Susquehanna River. Oneida. The river narrows up here quite a bit, increasing the current, so it’s not always the easiest to fish, but there is an abundance of smallmouth bass here. Catches can range from 30-40 fish in a single outing if you can find the bass. In this video I was asked to come to Harrisburg PA to the Susquehanna River for a smallmouth bass fishing trip. The North branch of the Susquehanna River flows out of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York. Shortly thereafter, declines in abundance of both juveniles and adults were observed. Rebel and Rapala make plenty of these that will do just fine. Please check your email for instructions on resetting your password. Catch rates of adults had fallen 80 percent between 2001 and 2005. These are my waters, I grew up fishing here almost weekly with my father, and he can tell you almost every ideal location to fish along this section of the river. One of our most frequent areas is called Canal Park in West Nanticoke. An ideal position is in a current break (slack water) immediately alongside the swift current. Cayuga. Travelling to a bass open last year and broke down right here in Pennsylvania. Smallmouth bass fishing has been a summertime ritual in the mid-Atlantic for over a century. He offers a unique perspective because he doesn’t fish by boat. Smallmouth bass again are disappearing from the Susquehanna River. There are some years, however, when the weather is unreasonably warm and the river is fishable. I got nothing to do. The best way to make this determination is by choosing the species you want to catch. From here, all the way down to Pittston, is completely open water. The river runs North and South here, and if you drift South a couple of thousand feet, you’ll run into a few splits in the river. Regardless of where you hit the Middle Susquehanna, you’re sure to find abundant smallmouth bass fishing. A big challenge you face is knowing where to tackle it and how to cover enough water to be able to find the honey hole. In this guide, I’m providing you with a local take on this fantastic river with some commentary from a few “wise men” as well. A Rapala usually does the trick most of the year. They’re also targeting topwaters pretty heavy at this time. If you don’t have one of those, a simple finesse jig will work.”. In order to locate smallmouth bass and effectively catch them, you must first understand current and its intricacies. This area was another frequent spot for my dad and me. Many bodies of waters contain large smallmouth populations, but certain fisheries tend to produce more and bigger smallmouth bass than others. He's a guy here on uh on the Susquehanna River, I was. The Susquehanna River was listed as one of five best bass fishing rivers in America in 2005. Good availability and great rates. That opens up some deep pockets in the river where you can get some relief from the current. A good population of crawfish is a good indication that the water is pretty clean. These are the common threads and we pursue a united goal. Good luck out there! I’d try drifting it through areas of shade from low-hanging trees. A quick trip East towards the Middle Susquehanna brings upon some serious smallmouth bass fishing, and that’s what we’re talking about today. A Rapala usually does the trick most of the year. This particular forum is not about politics, or religion, or status. As winter begins to move over Pennsylvania, fishing on the Susquehanna River is slowing. 2751. It’s worth reiterating the fact that we’re all here for one reason: we love fishing. Keep in mind that you can fish anywhere between Bradford and Columbia County and catch smallmouth bass. Fall Susquehanna smalllmouth fishing Summertime on the Susquehanna is great because you have so many hours of daylight, you can get comfy in your shorts and sandals, hop out of the boat and wade in the water, making launching the boat a piece of cake. If you can fish a topwater floating minnow or something similar to that, you should be golden. If you’re fishing a warm summer morning, get a ¼ ounce buzzbait and hit all the grass beds along the bank of those islands, cutting the river in half. 9 were here. Crawfish can not tolerate … Those lures are dynamite in the river because the presentation is really natural if you drift them. If the weather is more moderate, you’ll need something with a slower and less aggressive presentation. If you’re fishing in the Spring, be careful. Come fall, Smallies will start preparing for colder days, so they’ll be aggressive in their feeding. Learn more. • UHMW bottom which safely allows gliding over gravel and rocks during low water conditions. It is simplicity embodied, wet wading is. These splits in the river are where you’ll clean up on smallmouth if you know what you’re doing. During these times, the river is also flowing much faster due to higher levels, which makes it more challenging to fish. St. Lawrence River. We searched the Susquehanna River for Giant Smallmouth. The first thing many unfamiliar travelers notice about the Susky is how long it is. The lake is our holy sanctuary and bass fishing is our party or choice. This section of the river is the best for trout fishing, and it houses one of the strongest populations in the entire state. Joe Raymond. “Apple Tree Road along the Sullivan Trail in Exeter is where you want to be. The Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu fishery in the Susquehanna River basin, Pennsylvania, is one of the most socioeconomically important fisheries in the region and has recently undergone considerable changes. While you don’t have to hit these two locations, I highly recommend them. With over 400 miles of fishable water, “The Susky” is a goldmine for smallmouth bass anglers all over the country. Bio: Coty is a third-generation angler mastering the waters of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is up to you to help the Susquehanna River and its smallmouth bass population in Pennsylvania.Today your friends here at everything-smallmouth.com. Enter your email address below and we will send you your username, If the address matches an existing account you will receive an email with instructions to retrieve your username, By continuing to browse this site, you agree to its use of cookies as described in our, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science, orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1753-0297, orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2970-754X, I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of Use. I'm stuck here in Pennsylvania. Author: Coty Perry – https://yourbassguy.com. Champlain. Because of this, ongoing research efforts are needed to monitor population and health changes and to conduct integrative research that considers complex relationships between organisms and their environments. That year, young smallmouth bass started dying off in the Susquehanna and the Juniata rivers. That said, if you’re fishing around September-October and the temperature is starting to dip, you’ll want to go with a hair jig. I don’t believe in taking a bunch of lures in the boat with me because I rely entirely on two. Summer's here and folks want to get on the water and catch smallmouth bass. Now that we narrowed the river down to a few choice locations let’s discuss what lures to use and how to present them based on the time of year. Working off-campus? Moving water creates a conveyor belt of food, washing everything downstream to the fish without them having to travel for it. If you’re planning a trip around fishing the Susquehanna, I recommend going between the months of June-October. I’ll agree with Adam on a few things, especially the whopper plopper. Recent changes are encouraging for the future of the Smallmouth Bass fishery in the Susquehanna River. Joe Raymond Calendar. It's gonna be like fishing like you've never seen before like this ain't normal bass and what we're doing today. These changes started in 2005, when disease was documented in young‐of‐the‐year (age‐0) Smallmouth Bass. The Susquehanna River trail is a 24 mile long trail which runs all the way from The Shamokin dam to Harrisburg, and area which we mentioned before. You have to travel a little bit Northwest, just South of Tunkhannock. It's like man. Let’s narrow it down a little more. Yet, in light of the ever changing environmental, social, and anthropogenic influences on aquatic ecosystems, there remain concerns for Smallmouth Bass health and management. Here there are many bends and little secluded islands which are perfect for luring in … He also had a little criticism about my recommendations: “The Route 6 Bridge Access Ramp is my favorite place to launch the boat. I like to use crankbaits because there are no weeds, and you need to take advantage of the rocks if you’re going to catch anything.”. Designed and Developed by prime42.net, Local Anglers Guide to Smallmouth Bass Fishing the Susquehanna River. If you like fly fishing from the shore or from really shallow waters, Penn’s Creek, located right off the Susquehanna River, is a great place to visit. Smallies will hit almost anything you throw at them during early fall. Whites Ferry was another frequented spot by myself, my father, and all of my friends. Specifically, we love bass fishing. You want to fish these pools for smallmouth bass. If the weather is more moderate, you’ll need something with a slower and less aggressive presentation. Erie. It's kinda funny. © 2018 - Susquehanna Smallmouth Guides | 717-989-6626 | | Designed & Hosted By Seth Schrott Designs. These changes started in 2005, when disease was documented in young‐of‐the‐year (age‐0) Smallmouth Bass. It really just is not practical to try and cast upstream from a boat that is drifting downstream. Bass and walleye were George’s targets and he learned to find them quite easily using his knowledge from his days on the trout stream as a way to read the water on the river. It is a great idea … Jim Root - July 24, 2014. There something about wading the Susquehanna in an old pair of cut off jeans, a t-shirt and a beat up pair of hi-top sneakers that just seems right. But don’t be such a worrywart that you don’t go fishing and miss what has suddenly become the river’s best bronzeback fishing on record. They create a lot of noise too, so they work well even when visibility is low. When it is, late winter bass fishing can be extremely productive. This is the “hot” season in Northeast PA, where average daily highs are around 80-85 and the lows are somewhere around 60-70. All Right Reserved. The Susquehanna river fishing was on fire. Fish Eddies Along Main Current When fishing rivers or streams, bass will congregate along the current for food passing by. The North Branch of The Susquehanna River has a world renowned smallmouth bass fishery. It’s near the Towanda Riverside Park. created a petition to urge the Obama administration to push for the designation of the Susquehanna as an impaired waterway. Baits to use are large swim baits, stick baits, crankbaits and flukes. So you’re ready to tackle the longest river on the East Coast? Official Facebook page for Joe Raymond's Susquehanna Smallmouth Guides This is the post-spawn season, so you’ll want to fish the banks hard. Certainly we should all be worried about the root causes of disease and intersex problems that have beset the Susquehanna River’s most revered game fish, the smallmouth bass. Pennsylvania has all four seasons, but us locals like to refer to them as: So, if you’re fishing the Northeast PA waters, you need to understand that water clarity is at its lowest during the Spring and Fall months when rain is at its highest. These are your smallmouth bass fishing destinations. • Two talons which will quickly & safely anchor in any conditions. The smallmouth bass will face upstream angled towards the current but be resting in slack water to the sides called the eddy. Toss it around the bank and retrieve it quickly because the bass will have high visibility during dry periods when the water is really clear. How to Catch Smallmouth Bass Juniata River near Susquehanna However, in recent years (2012–2017), there have been decreases in both mortality rates and external observations of disease and increases in abundance across multiple size‐classes. April 2, 2019 by Don Manning. An old work buddy of mine [Marcus Waleva] who was a frequent shoreline angler on the Susquehanna had some things to say as well. Check out more of my SUF episodes by subscribing to my channel. The Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu fishery in the Susquehanna River basin, Pennsylvania, is one of the most socioeconomically important fisheries in the region and has recently undergone considerable changes. This wouldn’t be a complete guide if all I did was spew my opinions at you, right? @2021 - bassanglermag.com. My friend Brad had the jet boat so we headed 7 hours to the river for an epic fishing trip. BASS ANGLER MAGAZINE (BAM) specifically to help you become a better fisherman. Rockzilla, The Most Comfortable Jet Boat Around. You can find smallmouth bass in waterways either above or below the Mason-Dixon Line. Anglers drift fishing smallmouth bass rivers and streams in small boats, kayaks, and canoes generally present their baits horizontally. Then, as the craft eases downriver, they work the lure or bait back to the boat. Please go to the link and sign our petition: click here Help The Susquehanna Smallmouth Bass In Pennsylvania For example, the West Branch of the Susquehanna begins right around Huntington in Central PA, and it runs East until it runs into the Lower Susquehanna around Sunbury in Northumberland County. Otherwise, the same basic principles apply. At this time, the water temperature stays pretty warm, which will increase the smallmouth’s willingness to chase your lure. The water will be at its warmest, the clarity will be good, and you’ll have plenty of hours of daylight, which extends the fishing day. I had to get some of my friends and fellow anglers to chime in here to see what they had to say about fishing the Susky. By. TACKLE TIPS | BASS FISHING. You’ll want a whopper plopper with a stop n’ go presentation. Other Dates May Be Available With Our Others Guides When he’s not fishing or writing about fishing, you can find him tossing the ball around with his son. and you may need to create a new Wiley Online Library account. Popular Bass (Smallmouth) Fishing Charters in Susquehanna River. Something that makes a loud, chugging noise. He purchased his first boat in 2003 a 16 ft jon boat with a 25/20 Mercury Jet. Learn about our remote access options, Biological Services, Pennsylvania State University–Penn State Hazleton, Hazleton, PA, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bellefonte, PA, U.S. Geological Survey, Fish Health Branch, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, WV, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Morehead City, NC, U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Use the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Bass will target baitfish, cra… He specializes in bass fishing and has contributed to many of the internet’s most popular fishing blogs. The smallies were really biting. One time, we sunk into the mud on the shoreline up to our waists, trying to walk up and down the shore. Keep in mind that smallmouth bass are more aggressive at this time, and they’re most aggressive towards topwater baits hovering over their heads. The bass are plentiful but on the Susky, the larger bass are harder to catch. Ontario. See more tips and techniques from our Summer Fishing Playbook; As a full-time guide (keystoneconnection.com) who specializes in river smallmouths, I don't have the luxury of waiting for smallmouth bass to get over their post-spawn doldrums. Now that the results of a 2019 study are known — research that looked into the contents of the stomachs of 89 smallmouth bass sampled from the Susquehanna River’s mainstem as it flows through Pennsylvania — it may finally be time for people here to come to the realization that we humans are rapidly inflicting harm beyond repair to our only home, the Earth. 3. These are great when water temps are a little cooler than usual, and the levels are high. I'm fishing with today. George moved to the Harrisburg Area in 1998 and began fishing the Susquehanna River. Smallmouth bass sense winter is not far off and must put on the feed bag to survive the long winter months. Facebook; Youtube; Instagram I’d go with a topwater popper in the heat of summer. Summer fishing on the Susquehanna requires local angling experience, so hiring a guide is highly recommended. There are about three islands until the river widens dramatically and levels off about 2-3 miles in. Wild West Bass Trail Gets Bridgford Foods, Garmin® adds 21 anglers to its 2017 Marine Pro Team, Power Pole Signs Sponsor Deal with Skeet Reese, Bass Fishing Safety: Important Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe, Colorado Based rygr Signs on as Gill Fishing’s Integrated Marketing Partner, 1st Ever Telethon Put on by the Ike Foundation, 13 Fishing and Major League Fishing Team up for 2021, Top 5 Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hot Spots in Ontario, Key Features to Look for in a Bass Fishing Boat, The Inside Secrets of Fly Fishing For Bass. Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, crabs, mudbugs, freshwater lobsters, or whatever you want to call them make up 80% of the diet of a smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River. These declines in abundance coincided with disease infections in age‐0, intersex in adults, and concerns regarding contaminant exposure. If you do not receive an email within 10 minutes, your email address may not be registered, Read unbiased reviews and choose the best deal for your trip. Natural mortality rates, particularly for age‐0, increased during this period (2005–2011), and there were concerns for the overall health of this world‐class fishery. This means that the bass will set up in areas that provide an ambush point. Without crawfish, there would be no smallies. If you’re here in the dead of summer when the water levels are low, I recommend going with a lipped crankbait. Crawl the jig slowly along the bottom here in the rocky pools, and you’ll find some smallies, guaranteed. These are the names you hear thrown around when people talk about monster smallmouth bass in NY. Look for fallen trees, logs, and heavy vegetation along the shore, and you’ll likely find spawning areas. That we can all agree upon. how uh I met the guy. Mostly because cold temperatures have typically frozen over the river. As the craft eases downriver, they work the lure or bait to! Of food, washing everything downstream to the Susquehanna River is slowing a lot noise! Accommodate 2 anglers more and bigger smallmouth bass will congregate along the shore s narrow it down a little.. The names you hear thrown around when people talk about monster smallmouth bass than others jon boat with a floating! Spot for my dad and me asked to come to Harrisburg PA to Susquehanna! Goldmine for smallmouth bass again are disappearing from the current but be resting in slack water to the River also... Tossing the ball around with his son hours to the fish without them having to travel a little than... Help the Susquehanna requires local angling experience, so hiring a guide is highly recommended, especially whopper... Anchor in any conditions on fire I was to survive the long winter months my. Down to Pittston, is completely open water is how long it is,! Travelling to a bass open last year and broke down right here in the heat of summer when the is! 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Writing about fishing, and there are about three islands until the River runs through Bradford, Wyoming,,!, fishing on the Susquehanna River for a smallmouth bass fishing in Cooperstown, New York ’ willingness... Believe in taking a bunch of lures in the River for a smallmouth bass fishing Susquehanna... Uh on the shoreline up to you to help you become a better fisherman from years of on! Population in Pennsylvania.Today your friends here at everything-smallmouth.com River is slowing our most frequent areas is called Park... And down the shore, and Northumberland Counties strongest populations in the entire state,. Topwater popper in the River is also flowing much faster due to higher levels, which will safely comfortably.