Way North Fishing Reports

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, December 25 Update:

As we head into the new year, we hope that you all got some new fishing gear to use in 2026. Fishing in the Way North region of the Bay is pretty quiet this time of year, but there are still a few bites to chase for anglers looking to reel in some fish. Yellow perch have started to school up at the mouth of the Susquehanna River near Havre De Grace. They can be found in the deeper sections at the mouth in 40’ to 70’. Live minnows have worked best to catch them, especially when tipped on shad darts or panfish jigs. Many anglers opt to use either bottom rigs or dropper rigs with a few ounces of weight to get down and bounce baits along the bottom. One angler fishing in that area this week reported a slow bite on mostly smaller fish, but did catch a few big ones up to 13”.

The other reliable winter fishery in this region is blue catfish. The catfish will also be found in the deeper sections of the lower Susquehanna River from Port Deposit down to Havre De Grace. Cold water temperatures have these fish laying low on the bottom. Reports from other areas indicate that the blue catfish are preferring small chunks of fresh cut bait. The waters below the Conowingo Dam also hold blue catfish year-round near the dam pool. Heavy weights are often required when fishing there and be prepared to get snagged in the rocky bottom. Other species to potentially catch at the dam this time of year include flathead catfish, walleye, striped bass, and smallmouth bass.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, December 19 Update:

Fishing is slowing down now that we are getting into the heart of winter, but there are still some opportunities worth getting out on the water for. Blue catfish have mostly moved to the deeper holes and channels of the lower Susquehanna River. The big blues are being caught in depths of 40’ to 60’, which can be found around the railway bridge that crosses over Garrett Island. Big fish can also be found just below the Conowingo Dam throughout the winter. Fishing can be slow this time of year, so the best bet to catch catfish is to get some fresh cut bait in the form of gizzard shad, bluegill, or eel, toss it out, and let it soak. A hungry blue cat should find it. Yellow perch are also starting to show up in the lower Susquehanna River. Cold water temperatures are causing these fish to school up in deep water near Havre De Grace. An angler checked in after fishing the area and reported a consistent bite. They caught lots of small fish, but plenty in the 9” to 11” range. The bite should only get better as we enter the new year. Live minnows will be the best bait for catching them, but small jigs and scented lures can also work well.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, December 11 Update:

Striped bass season for Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay is now closed, so any fishing for them will be strictly catch and release until next spring. The catches were scattered before the season ended, with some being caught at the Conowingo Dam, lower Susquehanna River, and on the edges of the Susquehanna Flats. With the season over, anglers still wanting to target fish to keep and eat should focus their attention on blue catfish. The blues are schooling up in the deeper holes and channels of the lower Susquehanna, from Port Deposit down to Havre De Grace. Big ones are still showing up below the Conowingo Dam as well. The dam also offers some opportunities for walleye and smallmouth bass during the winter months. They will be holding along the rocky ledges and near the outflow at the dam pool. Yellow perch should also start to school up in the deeper holes near the mouth of the Susquehanna River. Although it is winter, there are still several opportunities to catch fish this time of year.

Way North Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, December 5 Update:

We had a reader report of solid action on crappie in the Northeast River, with Gulp! minnows on Sabikis doing the trick. Some large bluegill were biting as well. Crappie can also be found in the Elk River, where they will be schooling near deeper structures. The tidal tributaries in the Way North region also have a robust largemouth bass fishery. The bite has slowed down as temperatures have dropped, but anglers are still catching some on the edges of the Susquehanna Flats. On the lower Susquehanna River, smallmouth bass and some walleye can be caught near the rocky islands and at the Conowingo dam pool. While fishing around rocky islands and shorelines, suspending jerkbaits, paddletails, and feather jigs can work well.

Striped bass action has been slow around the Susquehanna Flats, but we did hear about a few being caught near the flats, though just a few. The most consistent bite in this region right now is the blue catfish bite. The Conowingo Dam pool has been a hotspot for some jumbo blue catfish in recent weeks. After the recent rains, the dam has been pushing some more water at times. Faster flowing water usually fires up the catfish bite as they feed on bait being pushed downriver. If you don’t want to battle other anglers on the shore and have access to a boat, the deeper holes and channels from Port Deposit down to Garrett Island are where they tend to school up in the winter.