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.
Checking Susquehanna conditions before you go
Real NOAA/USGS readings for the Flats and the river, each stamped with how fresh it is. We don't freeze a temperature on this page and call it live.
Open Local Waters →The dam's water release drives the tailrace bite and can be dangerous. Check the official Conowingo Dam generation schedule (published by the dam operator) before wading or launching below the dam — never trust a generation number copied onto a shop page.
- Lapidum Ramp: public access to the lower river
- C&D Canal main channel runs ~35 ft deep — a working shipping channel
- Year-round: blue catfish · fall & spring: striped bass
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Susquehanna River Boat Ramps & Access Points
Havre de Grace City Park Boat Ramp
Public ramp within the city waterfront/yacht-basin area.
Perryville Community Park Pier & Launch
Public waterfront park overlooking Furnace Bay. Features a fishing pier, pavilions, and soft kayak launch.
Susquehanna State Park (Lapidum Ramp)
DNR-managed public boating facility at Susquehanna State Park.