Fishing Report

Summary: 5/8/25 - Hickory shad are completing their spawning activities and beginning to leave the lower Susquehanna River system. This will most likely be the last week for this catch-and-release fishery. Gizzard shad are actively spawning in the area and can be seen swirling in the shallows. There are plenty of other fish to catch in the lower Susquehanna and the Conowingo Dam pool this week. Chesapeake Channa seem to find themselves at a dead end at the dam pool, there are flathead and blue catfish and large smallmouth bass. White perch have moved into the lower Susquehanna River and can be caught by casting small shad darts rigged in tandem and tipped with pieces of small Gulp baits, grass shrimp or pieces of bloodworm. Bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp or pieces of bloodworm will work well when fishing the deeper waters. The upper sections of the tidal rivers on the western shore are providing plenty of good fishing for Chesapeake Channa this week. Grass beds are beginning to fill out and that is where the fish will be holding. They are in a pre-spawn mode of feeding behavior and are aggressive. June usually marks the time when they spawn, and their feeding activity will diminish. Blue catfish are roaming the waters of the upper Bay, and they can be found in the lower sections of the region’s tidal rivers and to a lesser extent out in the Bay. The lower Susquehanna River, the mouth of the Elk River, and the middle to upper sections of the Chester River are good places to fish for blue catfish. Gizzard shad, menhaden, and white perch are all good cut bait options, but many anglers have good luck with chicken parts, and it doesn’t hurt to add some form of a scent product. The sliding sinker rig, often referred to a fish finder rig, with a 5/0 or larger circle hook.

The Check Station

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