Way North Fishing Reports

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 12 Update:

Not much has changed for the Way North region of the Chesapeake Bay in terms of fishing. Anglers looking to catch striped bass are having some luck at the Conowingo Dam pool. Using large surf style rods to cast lures into the turbine wash has been the ticket for scoring stripers. Recent reports show that the dam has been on an afternoon and evening power generating schedule, but not every day. Away from the dam, the bite has been very slow in the other tidal rivers and on the edges of the Susquehanna Flats. We need some cooler weather to move in to get the bite turned on and more fishing moving into the area.

While the striper fishing has been slow, the blue catfish bite has been much more reliable. The lower Susquehanna River has been a hotspot, especially near Port Deposit and Garrett Island. Anglers fishing the river in boats are anchoring up on ledges and near holes. Fresh cut bait works best for blue catfish, and there are several varieties that work well, including gizzard shad, bunker, eel, and chicken. On days that the Conowingo Dam is not generating power, the calmer water allows anglers to more easily target blue catfish below the dam. There have been some giants caught there recently, with several over 40 pounds reported. Make sure to bring plenty of extra tackle because the rocky bottom is notorious for snagging rigs.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, September 5 Update:

The waters of the lower Susquehanna River have been running on the low and slow side as there has been very little rainfall over the past month. The Conowingo Dam is still releasing some water as their power-generating schedule usually kicks in during the evening hours. Anglers fishing at the dam pool are still catching some slot sized striped bass. The trick has been to use large surf rods with three-way rigs, or heavy paddletails that anglers cast out into the turbine wash where stripers are waiting to ambush baitfish. As we move into fall, the striper bite will pick up in the tidal rivers and around the edges of the Susquehanna Flats. The cooler weather that is on the way will cause the seasonal aquatic grasses to die off. During this phase, anglers looking to catch striped bass should focus on points and structure on the edges of the flats, especially in areas with more tidal influence.

While there have been some stripers caught, blue catfish have been the dominant catch in the Way North waters. The big fish are biting and we had a report from an angler who has reeled in several trophy sized blue catfish near the Conowingo Dam since the start of the month. The blue cats are active and feeding throughout the lower Susquehanna and can be found in the tidal rivers surrounding the Susquehanna Flats. Fresh cut bait works best, but any meaty bait you can get your hands on can work, and usually, the smellier the better. When water temperatures are very hot, blue catfish will retreat to the deeper holes and channels, but since things have been on the milder side, they are spread out right now. The blue cats still like to be somewhat close to the deep water, so look for shallower areas along channels or on ledges where they will be schooled up. If you plan to fish for blue catfish, consider signing up for CCA Maryland’s Great Chesapeake Invasives Count. You can log your invasive fish catches to be entered for a chance to win monthly prizes. The data collected helps fisheries managers track the spread of invasive species throughout our waters.