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

Checking Susquehanna conditions before you go

Live water temperature & gauge height

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 →
Conowingo generation schedule

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.

Reference facts (not live)
  • 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
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

3 Key Access Sites
PUBLIC CITY RAMP Harford

Havre de Grace City Park Boat Ramp

Public ramp within the city waterfront/yacht-basin area.

Amenities: Bait: Herb's Tackle (0.8 mi, user/Three Buoys example)
Ramp Lanes: 4
Surface: Gradual concrete
Parking: City lot / trailer parking
Access: Municipal public boat ramp
Access Fee: $10 City Pass / annual permit per Three Buoys example; verify current city fee
Target Species: Striped Bass, Perch, Catfish
Conditions & Reports Maps →
WATERFRONT PIER PERRYVILLE, MD

Perryville Community Park Pier & Launch

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

Amenities: Restrooms, paved pier, parking
Target Species: White Perch, Catfish, Bass
Conditions & Reports Maps →
STATE PARK RAMP Harford

Susquehanna State Park (Lapidum Ramp)

DNR-managed public boating facility at Susquehanna State Park.

Amenities: Bait: Havre de Grace bait option reported by Three Buoys
Surface: Concrete ramp (caution: heavy current)
Parking: Paved trailer parking
Hours: Year-round; map listing 24h; park gate rules may apply
Access: State park public boat ramp
Access Fee: $10 MD / $12 out-of-state reported in DNR-derived listing; Three Buoys page displayed $3 honor envelope and should be rechecked
Target Species: Smallmouth, Walleye, Shad
Conditions & Reports Maps →