Susky Launch Options

[MetroMan]

Hey gang,

What are the launch options for the Susquehanna River? I am aware of the launch site near the Amtrak bridge, but should that confront a kayaker with ice, what other nearby alternatives are there for kayak launching?

I thought I read somewhere about a marina (Owens?). What about the state park? I'll check google, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any first hand info here.

Thanks

[mmanolis2001]

Metro i was just going to post a thread with some susky questions. Guess i will hijack yours instead.

I hope to make the trip up there this month. Only issues i have is the 2 hr drive and what licences i will need up there. Will the Bay sport licence cover that area?

[Yak Fish]

I've fished the Flats/River a few times and I can offer the following suggestions. I'm pretty much commiting to launching from Jean Roberts Park which is at the intersection of Water and Ostego Streets. It's not really a park, but more of a place to park with some shore fisherman. Rooftop launching is free. There is a pay box for guys with boats. Half the ramp is dedicated to non powered boats and the other half is powered. This launch site will give you access to the Flats and the river.

Some guys like to launch out of Lapidum which is a little further north. I have never launched from here so I can't really weigh in.

If you want to go all the way up to the Conowingo dam, there is a free rooftop launch site. It's a small concrete slab and will only support launching a kayak or canoe. If you launch here be sure to call the dam water release number: 888-457-4076 to see how much water they are releasing and when. I made the mistake of launching when a lot of water was being released and I got swept right down river. There's no overpowering it. However, when it is more calm, fishing this spot in a kayak could really pay off. That area is chock full of catfish, walleye, stripers, bass, shad...pretty much anything.

Anything below Conowingo Dam will require a bay license. Above is freshwater. If you want to fish above the dam I'm not sure how far you can go without needing a PA license.

From what I've seen the river can go from a few feet to 60' in a hurry (especially in the Flats), causing a lot of boaters problems. You'll need your depthfinder to find the channels and understand what kind of topography you are in.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the insight. That definitely helps me out.

[longislandtomd]

are you thinking about this weekend?

[MetroMan]

Friday was in my sights. Depending on what the wife has in store, I might be able to do Saturday afternoon as well.

[Memory Maker]

Metro i was just going to post a thread with some susky questions. Guess i will hijack yours instead.

I hope to make the trip up there this month. Only issues i have is the 2 hr drive and what licences i will need up there. Will the Bay sport licence cover that area?

I't still saltwater so baysport will cover it

[jffoley]

Someone posted this somewhere (so many forums!) and I bookmarked it. Hope it helps:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/hdg_insert.asp

[MetroMan]

I'm glad I posted this thread!! Thanks for the information guys.

[moc]

Yes this info is real good. I want to fish for the yellow perch up there before the month is over.

[DOGFISH]

Also, don't overlook Susq. State Park. It is more back in the river. The park is just off Interstate 95, near Harve DeGrace. Just go to the NW, off the exit. There is a series of launch ramps, or there are soft launch areas for canoes and kayaks all along the road. There are areas near the mouth of Deer Creek that are also good for shad. I have been wanting to fish that area my self. You could probably call the park to see if things are iced up. I don't know if the smallmouth and walleye come that far down the river or not. It flows pretty good through that area. All in all, it looks fishy.

[Yak Fish]

I've wanted to go up as well for the yellow perch. Any insight as to where they are holding up or how to catch them? It seems like you'd jig a small grub but they are probably pretty deep and you'd need ~3/8 oz to get there, right? It seems like they'd be turned off by the heavy weight, but I'm no expert and am learning all the time.

I was think of going up Friday around noon myself since I have some turbo fins and a larger rudder coming in the mail on Thursday. I get excited to try my new toys.

[mmanolis2001]

I saw Joes Susky video and he was using two 1/8 oz ( I think) jigs on a High/Low rig with a 1 oz sinker at the bottom. It was working good for him.

Warning: super duper MS painting skills

[Yak Fish]

nice sketch, thanks!

[susqeyaker]

susky launch

me and my cousin launch off of the deer creek parking spot in harford county, also just north of port deposit on the cecil county side. if the water is down dont take your hobies out there to many rocks ! i have a hobie and i take my manta ray up there. lots of stripers , smallies , perch , and shad when there seasons are in.