The Susquehanna River features more than 400 miles of fishable water and is an absolute goldmine for bronzebacks. (Shutterstock photo)
July 09, 2025
By J. J. Faux
Rightfully renowned as one of the top smallmouth bass fisheries in the East, the Susquehanna River begins its journey in Otsego Lake in southern New York and meanders through the mountains and valleys of Pennsylvania before emptying into Chesapeake Bay 444 miles later. Responsible for providing 50 percent of all the fresh water entering the Chesapeake, the Susquehanna is known for its plethora of rocks, ledges, outcroppings, pools and islands.
Smallmouths have long been the main draw of the Suskie from a fishing standpoint, but they’re not the only bass in the river. Largemouths are found in calmer water from Goldsboro south. Beginning in 2005, when a massive die-off of smallmouths in the lower Susquehanna and its tributary, the Juniata River, began, it seemed as if the fishery’s reputation as a smallie powerhouse wouldn’t hold. Scientists at Michigan State University eventually figured out that a largemouth bass virus was responsible for the decline. They found that when shallow water frequented by smallmouths becomes stagnant and hot and full of pathogens, the lesions and sores caused by the virus allow bacteria and fungus to settle in, which is often fatal.
The Susquehanna is home to loads of smallies in the 12- to 16-inch range, though 4-pound-plus fish aren’t uncommon. (J.J. Faux photo) Fortunately, the fish seem to have developed an immunity to the virus. Aided by a moratorium on keeping smallmouths, which still exists from the inflatable Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam at Sunbury 98 miles south to Holtwood Dam, numbers have recovered somewhat.
A survey conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 2022 found bass numbers to be close to historic levels, with age classes adequate for the fishery to thrive long-term. While most smallmouth bass are in the 12- to 16-inch range, catching a 20-inch bass weighing more than 4 pounds here isn’t unusual.
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BRONZEBACK BOSSES Susquehanna smallmouths normally spawn from late May to early June. Once spawning is completed by mid-June, some of the best fishing of the year takes shape.
Post-spawn smallmouths tend to be aggressive and will often strike at anything flashy. To be successful, you have to make them mad. Spinners work well and colorful soft plastics with lots of movement can also be winners. Crankbaits are a good bet, as you can alter their diving depth by varying your retrieval speed. Over the past several years, the Ned rig has become extremely popular, and many summer bass are caught by anglers using it. Tubes are always good to throw post-spawn, especially along grassy islands and in seams.
As a rule, the darker the water, the brighter the lure color should be; the clearer the water, the more subtle the lure color should be. Having a variety of different colors available is the best bet for being successful. If the color being used isn’t working, keep trying different colors until you find the one they want to hit.
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By early July most bass will have settled into their active summer feeding pattern, which is ambush mode. They’ll use rocks and outcroppings as ambush points, and you should focus your efforts on such cover. Current breaks continue to be a good bet, as the added oxygen the riffles and breaks produce are attractive both to bass and to the smaller fish they prey on. Target areas behind big rocks or boulders or along ledges that allow bass to remain hidden as they wait for dinner.
Chunk-and-wind lures like ChatterBaits and spinnerbaits are good for covering water quickly to locate fish. (Shutterstock photo) Nick Drobny has been fishing the West Branch and the North Branch of the Susquehanna for smallies for more than 40 years. He begins fishing when the water temperature gets to 38 degrees, which is usually by early April. Once the water temp hits 50 degrees, usually in May, the favorite food of Susquehanna smallmouths becomes active crayfish.
“I find that 50 to 70 percent of the smallie’s diet is crayfish, so once they’re out I’m going to use a lure that imitates a crayfish,” he says. “I like tubes, and green pumpkin- and melon-colored tubes seem to work well most of the time because they really resemble crayfish. Caddis flies and marabou jigs can be seductive to bass as well. You’re looking for a couple of seconds where you can fool their lateral line and their senses, causing them to want to eat your lure.”
WHERE TO LOOK “To find the fish, I’ll hit a lot of holes pretty quickly,” says Drobny. “I especially hunt in areas with rocky structure, current breaks and deeper pools. I’ll have as many as eight rods out: three or four with horizontal lures like a spinnerbait or a ChatterBait, where I’m looking for a reactive response so I can find the fish, and three or four with vertical lures like tubes or a Ned rig, where I’m looking to entice a fish by imitating their food. I’ll throw across holes and keep going until I get a few hits, then I’ll switch to vertical lures and try to find the right angle to fish the hole they’re in. It’s all about angles. Once you get the right angle, you can pull them out one after another.”
Ken Maurer, former owner of Southside Sports Bait and Tackle in Sunbury, guided anglers on both the North and West branches of the Susquehanna for more than 30 years.
“I also fished the confluence just below the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam. It’s still a good spot for bass. Beginning in May, just before bass usually spawn and when they start to get on their beds, I find the Ned rig to be especially effective, though it’ll catch fish all year long.”
Try to locate deep pools in spring that you can target all summer long. Cool water is the calling card. (J.J. Faux photo) Spinning gear works best for casting the Ned rig, and Maurer favors St. Croix rods with a medium-light action in the 6-foot to 6-foot 10-inch range. He spools his reels with Gamma 6-pound-test monofilament. But that’s not the only way to catch big bronzebacks.
This is a time of year many bass fishermen look forward to, as topwater lures and poppers enter the conversation. Generally speaking, early morning and late evening are best, as smallmouths hunt close to shore during those times. Throw your topwater lure out past your target area and bring it as close to the area as possible. Let it sit for a moment, then start your retrieve. They’ll often hit it as it sits there, before you even begin the retrieve. If they don’t, a choppy lure like a buzzbait, which creates a surface disturbance, can be persuasive.
It’s a good idea to identify some deep pools so that on hot summer days, you’ll have a likely place to find fish as bass head to deep, cool pools to escape the heat. You can also find them in shady spots with underwater structure, which affords some protection in addition to being a little cooler.
RIDDLE ME THIS Jeffrey Riddle has been smallmouth fishing the Susquehanna River in the Harrisburg area for 60 years and started Susky Smalljaws Guide Service five years ago.
“In late spring, I’ll fish coves and feeder creeks first, expecting bass to be close to where they’ll eventually nest,” says Riddle. “They move from the deep holes to secondary points before eventually moving up to where they’ll spawn. They’ll spawn in the creeks before they’ll spawn in the river because the smaller water will warm up before the river does. In the river, they’ll spawn in shallow water over hard bottoms with a little structure. The river is more volatile than the creeks are, but there are so many 18-inch smallies out there it’s crazy.”
The chance for near-constant action makes Susquehanna smallmouth fishing a great opportunity for young anglers. (J.J. Faux photo) While Riddle normally fishes from a boat, he’s not averse to fishing on foot. “If the water’s too low, I’ll walk some tributary creeks or wade some parts of the river to fish,” he says. “Water levels and flow conditions can really fluctuate, especially if there are heavy spring rains. Higher water levels may push bass into different areas, while low, clear water may lead to more sight-fishing opportunities. I prefer 4 1/2 to 6 feet of water and slightly stained. It’s the best time to catch smallies.”
Riddle uses a variety of lures, but most often fishes with either a Ned rig or a ChatterBait.
“I also like to use a donkey rig, which pairs two fluke-style soft-plastic jerkbaits on a single line,” he says. “It creates the illusion of a school of baitfish, and it can be pretty effective.”
Susquehanna smallmouths can be found in shallow, gravel or rocky areas, often near current breaks where the water slows down. Look for submerged rocks or fallen trees where bass can shelter from the current. It’s also wise to focus on transition zones—areas where the river shifts from shallow to deeper water, or where there’s a change in the bottom structure (rocky to sandy, for example). Overcast days tend to make bass more active and willing to bite. A cold front can make them sluggish, so it may take a little more finesse to catch them during those times.
This article was featured in the June/July 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
