Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to May
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Susquehanna River (Harrisburg) Fishing Guide
Pennsylvania
A wide, shallow river near Harrisburg where Fish and Boat Commission surveys find a healthy, abundant smallmouth bass population.
Part of the Susquehanna River.
Photo: Dough4872 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Susquehanna River (Harrisburg) for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and channel catfish. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 6 shops nearby (2 fly, 5 bait and tackle; some are both), including Sportsman's Warehouse in Camp Hill. Also nearby: Yellow Breeches Creek.
Season at a Glance
No agency season found for these fish here.
Season Rules & Licenses
- Smallmouth and largemouth bass, Susquehanna River from the inflatable dam near Sunbury to Holtwood Dam: catch and immediate release only, January 1 to December 31, 2026. No tournaments April 11 to June 12. PFBC 2026
- Walleye and saugeye: closed March 15 through May 1, 2026; open January 1 to March 14 and May 2 to December 31, 15 inch minimum, 6 a day. PFBC 2026
- Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge: open year-round, 40 inch minimum, 1 a day. PFBC 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Pennsylvania fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
License Sellers Nearby
Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission's license agent list, Oct 2026. Call ahead.
Parts of the Susquehanna River
- Main PageSusquehanna RiverThe Susquehanna from New York, where smallmouth bass and walleye dominate the fishery, to the wide, shallow river at Harrisburg.
- Rivers & Streams · New YorkSusquehanna River (New York)The Susquehanna River in New York, through Otsego, Chenango, Broome and Tioga counties, where DEC says the fishery is dominated by smallmouth bass and walleye, with hot spots in Binghamton such as the mouth of the Chenango River.
- Rivers & Streams · Pennsylvania · You're HereSusquehanna River (Harrisburg)A wide, shallow river near Harrisburg where Fish and Boat Commission surveys find a healthy, abundant smallmouth bass population.
Susquehanna River (Harrisburg) Species
Species per PFBC: Smallmouth Bass; Walleye; Muskellunge; Channel Catfish.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Smallmouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Susquehanna River (Harrisburg):
- Sportsman's Warehouse, Camp HillWebsite
- Bass Pro Shops, HarrisburgWebsite
- Riseforms Fly Fishing, Boiling SpringsWebsite
Map of Susquehanna River (Harrisburg)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
51°F high, 34°F low
About 2.9 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
24,775 cfs
Most years 7,840 cfs to 51,420 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 3 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 01570500, 1890 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: May, Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Susquehanna River (Harrisburg)
Guides and Charters Near Susquehanna River (Harrisburg)
GuideFly Fishing
Susquehanna River Guides
Dickinson Twp, Pennsylvania
409 Pine Grove Rd 717-574-5338
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
Farther Out
Charter
Night Ventures Bowfishing Charters
West Lampeter Twp, Pennsylvania
Per their website: Common Carp
