Smallies below Conowingo?

[gliebig]

I haven't been out much lately because they have been running so much water, but I'm wondering everyone's experiences with smallmouth catches this year/last year vs 5-10 years ago.
Several years ago, I used to take my canoe up there and catch a ton of smallmouth/white perch/sunfish per trip. My last few trips have produced only a handful of smallmouth. I've caught more catfish on artificials recently than anything else.
Is it just me, or has fishing in the river gone downhill over the years?

[blackflag]

For sure the fishing has gone down over the years.

Reason being:
1. Flathead Catfish-invasive species to this watershed, and also an actively engaging predatory fish. Simply put, they eat other fish unlike most species of catfish. I should be on discovery channel now as a subject matter expert because of the research I've done on them, along with DNR and a local biologist. They were introduced several years back, and have been wreaking havoc on the Suskie.

The grow 9-13 lbs per fiscal year, and are actually a white meat fish. They taste amazing. Most of the time you will find them north of the protected island below the dam, right up against the dam. I don't know them to be down river, nor have I heard of any angler catching them or I haven't caught them downstream myself. DNR specifies that if you catch them, to kill them or harvest them. Recently, an officer spoke with me about them and said they're out of control regardless so they are here to stay. This year, from the third week of April through the first week of June; myself and three other anglers specifically targeted this species. Over those several weeks, we pulled out and harvested 533- 25lbs or more size catfish. All were taped and weighed, the largest of which were pushing upwards of 45lbs, 30+ inches girth and approx. 38-50 inches long. Most early season had full size shad (15 inches +) found in their mouths and in their stomachs when examined. As the season progresses and striped bass season comes in, there have been fewer good size stripers below the dam.

2. Water Chemistry- as the water chemistry changes, water temp, baro pressure, controlled releases, rain, etc.; this changes the water chemistry which may not be befitting to the smallies. I found more smallies early season than I ever have mid/late season this year, all being small. Last year I also caught Walleye in July downstream of the dam, which is typically not seen to my knowledge. Water chemistry manipulates the fish to drop eggs sooner/later, and in other places than the norm.

3. Sediment- self explanatory as you can see with the water volume being let loose more recently.

Hope this helps.

jay

[blackflag]

I also have pictures of these catfish if you care to check them out. It's quite substantial.

[gliebig]

I guess you have to fish from shore by the dam to catch the flatheads? Noodling from the base of the dam would make for one hell of a reality show.

[blackflag]

I say we do it. That's called drown proofing where I come from.

Extreme sport number 845: Whitewater noodling.

[EZMD]

I was there a few weeks ago, lots of water all day long (they said to close after 2pm and nothing happened) and lots of flat head nothing over 7lbs but I must have caught over 40 of them with shrimp during the day. Do we have to kill them and not put them back?

[Boondock_RES]

Not sure about the bite 5-10 years ago, but the past couple haven't been great. Went quite a few times last year, launching at the dam and floating down to either the VFW on river road, or all the way down to the Port Deposit launch. Best I did was 5 smallies in a few hour float, when the xrap bite couldnt be beaten. Other than that trip, it was maybe or two fish between the group of us that went. Still fairly new to navigating that part of the river, but I think i recognize stucture well enough to guess where a few smallies should have been hiding.

I have caught some footballs trolling sassy shad for rockfish from the Port launch as far north as my jon boat would go before risking hitting some of those massive boulders. My biggest bronzeback to date was caught doing that, just shy of 24". Not as much fun on a rig hoping to bring in a 35" striper, but still a good size smallie. Hoping to hook one that big from my yak.

I don't know them to be down river, nor have I heard of any angler catching them or I haven't caught them downstream myself.
jay

I've caught a ton of flatheads down river, just north of Garrett island live lining perch for rockfish. So pissed the first time I reeled one up thinking it was a striper. Never seen a cat fish eat a live bait fish as big as a 6 or 7 inch perch.

Do we have to kill them and not put them back?

Yep, you're supposed to.