Susquehanna River, PA Fishing Report

Fishing pressure has been light on the Susquehanna River due to the high water levels. Many anglers have been eagerly preparing for the walleye season opening on May 4th.

High water from the winter snow and rains is making angling difficult on most of the creeks and streams, but the turbid water is making some terrific cat fishing on the Susquehanna River.

Due to ice on most of the Susquehanna River and local trout streams, these waters have seen little fishing activity.

Recent rains have the Susquehanna River flowing higher than normal approx 6-7 feet. However that has not stopped the Walleye Fishermen as some are being caught near the confluence of the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers, near Duncannon.

Fishing has been a little on the slow side for the lower Susquehanna River in York County. Some Catfish and Walleye have been caught in the York haven area. However, most anglers have been putting a fair amount of time into their success. Baits of choice are the ole standbys of liver and shrimp for the cats and jigs with a minnow or twister tail for the walleye.

Angling activity on the Susquehanna River has been light, with only the most diehard anglers venturing out into the cold. Those who have been out had some success using soft plastics for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Those venturing out are encouraged to always wear a PFD. Boaters are again reminded of the new regulations now in effect for mandatory cold weather wear, on boats 16 feet or less, and ALL canoes and kayaks.

Walleye are finally appearing in decent numbers in the Susquehanna River! The annual walleye run seems to have arrived later than normal this year. Try using live minnows or an artificial lure that mimics a small fish. Remember, walleye have keen eyesight and can out compete other predatory fish (like smallmouth bass) during low light conditions. Look for a Gray cloudy day, with a good "walleye-chop" on the surface of the water. Anglers are catching fish at the York Haven Hydro Dam, and the Harrisburg Dock street Dam.

With most people focusing their attention on hunting this time of year, there has been very little fishing activity in the area. Anglers who were fishing were having some fine success on the Susquehanna River for both walleye and smallmouth bass. Walleyes were being taken on leadhead jigs tipped with twister tails or live bait. Smallmouth bass anglers were having luck with live bait and soft plastics.

With a combination of high, muddy water and colder temperatures, fishing activity across the area has been light. There has been limited success on the Susquehanna River with smallmouth bass. Most success has still come from anglers throwing soft plastics, tubes or live bait.

With the Susquehanna River slowly on the rise anglers have been experiencing better fishing activity. Anglers targeting bass have had success using various white baits.  

Fishing on the Susquehanna River continued to be slow. Most anglers were having limited success. What does seem to be effective is working cover around deeper pools and feeder streams with live bait. There have been some catfish caught during the evening hours, mostly on chicken liver.

Pressure on the local trout streams has been pretty much non-existant due to high temperatures and low water conditions. Anglers fishing the streams were doing so early in the morning and in the evening as hatches occurred.