Capitol Smallmouth

By Dave Shindler

Central Pennsylvania is known to be a busy tourist destination. The visiting masses shuffle along the streets of Hershey to the Chocolate factory, hoping to get a taste of the world famous Kiss or a good old fashion Hershey Chocolate Bar.  In the background you can hear screams of many coming from one of Hershey Parks many famed Roller Coasters. Move your attention to the big building next door, and the Hershey Bears are making a run at yet another American Hockey League Calder Cup Championship. In Nearby Harrisburg, thousands of Baseball fans file onto Harrisburg’s City Island to watch the Senators face off with one of their AAA Rivals. Senator’s fans have had the opportunity to watch many rising stars on their way to the Major Leagues. From Vladimir Guerrero to Ryan Zimmerman, many All Stars have visited Pennsylvania’s Capitol City.  However if you are reading this magazine, I am betting that you weren’t looking for a recommendation on Great Roller Coasters or where to get the Best Chocolate bar on Earth.

In the eyes of the outdoorsman, there is no better attraction in the Harrisburg area than the Susquehanna River and its many finned residents. The area surrounding Harrisburg is known as one of the best Smallmouth Bass fisheries in the country, for great reason. The area also boasts some great Walleye, Musky and Flathead Catfish fishing.

Goldsboro to the Dock Street Dam

I consider the Harrisburg area to start in the Lake Frederick pool, which starts directly above the York Haven Dam. This area is many times called the Goldsboro pool or Middletown Pool. The two areas are separated by a very shallow rock chain which runs from the East to West bank. The Goldsboro pool itself is much deeper in general, and is accessible with larger crafts including Fiberglass Bass boats as well as Pontoons and Runabouts. While the area can get busy on the weekends, it is still very easy to hide from not fishing boat traffic.  In general spring and fall are the best times to fish the Goldsboro pool. Many fish that seem nonexistent in the summer months become much easier to find and catch, during the cooler months of the year. Goldsboro’s Smallmouth are many times fooled with Jerk baits, Swim baits, Spinner baits, Tubes and Top water Baits.

The Middletown area is a completely different fishery than the Goldsboro pool, even though is a very short distance away. Once you move above the large ledge, the water depth limits craft selection to those with a Jet Drive or a paddled craft in most cases. It is strongly recommended that you fish with someone who can show you around, before navigating this area on your own in a powered boat. The Middletown area is very diverse in fishable structure. This area has numerous Islands, as well as deep and shallow ledges, Gravel bars, Grass beds and much more. Seasonal patterns keep the Smallmouth moving, and can be caught all times of the year on various techniques. This area also has a great population of Walleye and Some superb Musky fishing. There are a few feeder creeks that can many times influence water clarity and temperature. The Swatara and Yellow Breeches creeks are the larger of those flows.  

City Island to Fort Hunter

This section of the Susquehanna is separated from the lower areas, by a low head dam.  The City Island pool, again has some deeper water for a few miles upstream.  The water depth is not the only change that you will notice. The landscape changes as well from tree lined banks and summer cottages to street lights and office buildings. Even the State Capitol Building graces the banks of the City Island pool.

As you travel upstream you will notice many of the same types of cover including feeder creeks and bridge piers. There are a few more islands as well, which area scattered along the miles of scenic waters. The seasonal patterns and movements can make this a very exciting year round fishery. Spring boasts some of the best Spinner bait and Jerk bait fishing around. Last spring my clients, landed 5 Smallmouth Bass over 5 lbs in a one week period.  In the upper end of this section there is another very large ledge called the “Rockville Ledge”, which marks a large elevation drop and creates an impressive waterfall area. This ledge at times be a very productive spot, due to the increase in turbulence and Oxygen infused into the water. This is a very common attraction for Walleye and Bass fisherman.

There are also some unique sightseeing opportunities here also.  One of the more unique aspects is “Bird Island”. Bird Island is a rather small island that every spring attracts an amazing number of migrant birds, which utilize the trees as a nesting spot. You will see crested Night Herons, Cormorants and Egrets. It may not sound too impressive, but the shear number of birds makes this something truly amazing.

Fort Hunter to Duncannon

Prop boats need not apply!!  This is one of the most treacherous areas of the river, which is regarded by most as just plain nasty to run a boat in. More damage is done in this area than any other section of the Susquehanna. Launch access is limited to just a few ramps which make the area hard to reach. Launching from the Fort Hunter ramp is the most common launch site, which is located the far Southern most part of the area. Directly above the ramp is a series of ledges which must be navigated with the utmost of caution. As you travel upstream along Route 322 , you navigate the West bank toward Duncannon. There are a host of underwater and exposed rocks and ledges as well as numerous grass beds and islands. This is shallow water fishing at its finest, with my favorites being top water baits and spinner baits. Soft plastics can be great spring time baits, as well as anytime the water levels rise to higher than normal levels. Again I would not suggest you run this area, unless you are very well versed in reading shallow water or ride with someone who is. The fishing in this area is as good as it gets on the Susquehanna most times of the year, and is well worth taking a good look at if you are interested in classic Smallmouth fishing.

The Harrisburg area is quite simply full of fantastic fishing opportunities. If you are planning a visit to South Central Pennsylvania, take a good look at spending a day or two chasing our areas top fishery. Whether you chose to bring a Kayak, Canoe or Fishing Boat, there is a great place to spend your time outdoors on one of the most spectacular rivers in the country. 








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