Three Buoys Tackle Shop & Outfitter • Elkton, MD Free 2-Day Shipping in DMV on Orders $75+
Three Buoys Fishing Tackle
Three Buoys Fishing Tackle

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Headquartered in Elkton, MD

UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY & SUSQUEHANNA RIVER DESTINATION

Susquehanna River & Upper Bay Fishing Guide

Technical destination guide to the Susquehanna Flats grass beds, Conowingo Dam tailrace, C&D Canal riprap, Furnace Bay, and Deer Creek trout waters. Complete with specific lure recipes, Conowingo spill schedules, and NOAA tide telemetry.

NOAA TIDE STATION #8573968 Charlestown MD
PRIMARY TARGETS Striped Bass, White Perch, Smallmouth, Catfish
FLATS SETUP 3/4oz Topwater Popper + MIDCHANNEL
UPPER BAY TELEMETRY

Susquehanna River Real-Time Conditions

Susquehanna Flats SAV NOAA #8573968
Water Temp78.5°F
Tide StageFalling Ebb
Clarity1.5 ft (Stained)
Spring RunStriped Bass Catch & Release
Conowingo Hydro Dam Exelon Generation
Generators Active4 of 11 Units
Tailrace Velocity18,500 cfs
Tailrace Water76.0°F
Lapidum RampOpen Public Access
C&D Canal Shipping Channel NOAA #8573927
Current Velocity2.4 Knots East
Water Temp77.0°F
Riprap Depth35 ft Main Channel
Top SpeciesCatfish & Fall Stripers
TACKLE SELECTION MATRIX

Specific Lures & Rigging Recipes for the Susquehanna

Proven lures, topwater poppers, swimbait jigs, and bottom rigs specifically matched to Susquehanna grass beds and C&D Canal current seams.

FLATS SPRING RUN

1. 3/4oz Topwater Chugger Popper

Target Species: Spawning Striped Bass (Rockfish).
Components: 3/4oz white/blue chugger popper on 20lb braid + 25lb fluorocarbon leader.
Best Area: Susquehanna Flats SAV grass edges at early dawn on rising tide (April-May).

Pro Tip: Walk popper rhythmic cadence; hold rod tip low for solid hooksets into hard striper jaws.
CURRENT SEAMS

2. 1/2oz Paddle-Tail Swimbait Jig

Target Species: Striped Bass & Large Yellow Perch.
Components: 1/2oz unpainted jig head with a 4-inch pearl white paddle-tail swimbait.
Best Area: Conowingo Dam tailrace & Havre de Grace City Park channel edge.

Pro Tip: Slow-roll lure just above river bottom rocks; maintain steady steady retrieve.
CANAL RIPRAP

3. 3oz Bank Sinker Channel Catfish Rig

Target Species: Channel Catfish (8lb to 20lb).
Components: 3oz lead bank sinker → 24" 25lb mono shock leader → 3/0 Circle Hook.
Best Bait: Fresh nightcrawlers or cut gizzard shad anchored in C&D Canal riprap eddies.

Pro Tip: Heavy continuous backbone of MIDCHANNEL rod easily lifts catfish onto shoreline rocks.
FURNACE BAY PIERS

4. 1/8oz White Perch Beetle Spinner

Target Species: White Perch, Yellow Perch, Sunfish.
Components: 1/8oz yellow/black safety-pin beetle spinner on 10lb braid + 8lb mono leader.
Best Area: Perryville Community Park pier & Charlestown Wharf pilings.

Pro Tip: Cast parallel to wooden dock pilings and retrieve slowly near mid-depth.
UPPER SUSQUEHANNA

5. #3 Gold Inline Spinner (River Smallmouth)

Target Species: River Smallmouth Bass & Walleye.
Components: #3 gold Mepps or Panther Martin inline blade spinner on 12lb braid + 10lb FC leader.
Best Area: Susquehanna State Park boulder riffles & Deer Creek mouth.

Pro Tip: Cast across river current and allow blade to pulse through eddy seams.
DEER CREEK STREAM

6. 1/6oz Gold Phoebe Spoon (Spring Trout)

Target Species: Stocked Rainbow & Brown Trout.
Components: 1/6oz curved gold metal Phoebe spoon on 6lb clear monofilament.
Best Area: Big Elk Creek & Deer Creek pool drop-offs (March-May).

Pro Tip: Flutter spoon into deep shade pools below fallen logs; fish strike on drop!
PUBLIC ACCESS DIRECTORY

Susquehanna River Boat Ramps & Access Points

5 Key Access Sites
PUBLIC CITY RAMP HAVRE DE GRACE, MD

Havre de Grace City Park Boat Ramp

Multi-lane deep-water public launch providing immediate access to the mouth of the Susquehanna River and North East River flats.

Amenities: 4-lane ramp, floating docks, trailer parking
Target Species: Striped Bass, Perch, Catfish
View Google Maps Profile →
STATE PARK RAMP DARLINGTON, MD

Susquehanna State Park (Lapidum Ramp)

Located directly below Conowingo Dam. Excellent launch site for jet boats and kayaks targeting river smallmouth bass and walleye.

Access Type: MD State Park Public Ramp
Target Species: Smallmouth, Walleye, Shad
View Google Maps Profile →
WATERFRONT PIER PERRYVILLE, MD

Perryville Community Park Pier & Launch

Public waterfront park overlooking Furnace Bay. Features a fishing pier, pavilions, and soft kayak launch.

Facilities: Restrooms, paved pier, parking
Target Species: White Perch, Catfish, Bass
View Google Maps Profile →