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Fishing Susquehanna River: what the data says
Sunbury to Harrisburg: the East's famous smallmouth ledges, plus a booming flathead fishery. The river tops out around 12 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Susquehanna River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. Dauphin Narrows ledges is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 4 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at Susquehanna River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. West Branch confluence (Sunbury) is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 4 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Susquehanna River
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 41.4): a eddy pocket around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday |
Walleye fishing at Susquehanna River
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. West Branch confluence (Sunbury) is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 4 to 12 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Muskellunge fishing at Susquehanna River
Start shallow in spring: muskellunge sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Dauphin Narrows ledges, a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for muskellunge in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Smaller bucktail (#8 blades), 6" glide bait |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | dusk & dawn | Double-10 bucktail, Topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dusk | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), 10"+ glide bait |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Large rubber, crawled slow |
Rock Bass fishing at Susquehanna River
Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 3 to 12 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Dauphin Narrows ledges: a rock pile around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Susquehanna River also holds common carp (2 to 12 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Upper Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Dock Street Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Millersburg Ferry Wall tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Millersburg Ferry Wall tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.3): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 33.0): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.8): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 43.6): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 50.4): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 41.4): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
Common questions
How deep is Susquehanna River?
Susquehanna River is about 12 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Susquehanna River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, muskellunge, flathead catfish, common carp, rock bass on Susquehanna River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Susquehanna River?
Dauphin Narrows ledges is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Susquehanna River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Juniata River · Delaware River (Upper) · Allegheny River · Youghiogheny River · Lake Erie - Eastern Basin · Lake Erie - Presque Isle Bay
See how Susquehanna River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Pennsylvania · best walleye lakes in Pennsylvania · best channel catfish lakes in Pennsylvania · best muskellunge lakes in Pennsylvania
Browse all Pennsylvania fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.