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The Susquehanna River |
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 The Susquehanna River, whose headwaters are formed by the outflow of Otsego Lake, near picturesque Cooperstown, New York, wanders through the countryside of the New York and Pennsylvania border. The Susquehanna River is the longest commercially non-navigable river in North America; 444 miles long. It is the sixteenth longest river in North America and is also the longest river lying entirely within the United States that drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Susquehanna River and her tributaries, such as Catatonk and Owego Creeks, boasts some of the most beautiful and varied fish habitat you will ever encounter. The two most important factors for a successful day's river fishing are water temperature and time of year. Knowing where to fish, with which lures, under what circumstances, with which retrieve technique can mean the difference between a great day on the water, or a disappointment. "Early spring, "late spring," "summer," and “fall" - each of these periods dictates an entirely different approach and lure selection.
The Susquehanna is generally a broad, shallow river with widths of 250-1,000 feet and depths ranging from boat-dragging shallow to 30 feet or more. Anglers should note that the river is also subject to flooding, and in high water it can be a dangerous and unproductive fishing trip.
Walleye, bass and an occasional muskellunge or tiger muskie hybrid are the prime fishing targets for those working the 33-mile section of the Susquehanna River that flows through Tioga County, near Owego, NY. There is also another less-sought-after-prize: the channel catfish that inhabit the deepest pools of the river.
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge are in season from the first Saturday in May until March 15. In 2002, New York State DEC stocked the river with 4,780 tiger muskellunge. Minumum length 30"; Daily limit is 1 per day. Some of the best walleye fishing in the state is here in the Susquehanna River in Tioga County.
Smallmouth bass are well-distributed from the Broome County line near Apalachin downstream to the Pennsylvania border. The areas especially abundant with bass are at the top or riffle edge of pools. Walleyes, muskies and channel cats find the deepwater pools more to their liking. There are some who claim the walleye angling is some of the best in the state.
The Hiawatha Island area, the largest island in New York State, is particularly good for smallmouth bass. This area is also productive for tiger muskies which have been stocked regularly by New York State since 1980.
The sharp bend of the river just upstream from Wappasening Creek near Nichols, NY is quality bass water, as is the structure of the islands opposite the village. Smithboro to Barton is also considered great for bass. Drift fishing the area from a canoe or a flat-bottom boat is ideal if you have your partner leave a car at Barton so you don’t have to work back up against the current. In fact, leap-frogging portions of the river in this manner is a quality outdoor experience. |
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Fish Owego Creek |
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Owego Creek, especially north in the town of Berkshire is well known by local fishermen for its excellent trout fishing. Trout LOVE the cold, spring-fed running waters of Owego Creek, and all of its winding and sometimes marshy waters. |
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Fish Catatonk Creek |
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Fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Any size, daily limit 5. During 2002, New York State DEC stocked the creek with 18,000 brown trout and 200 rainbow trout. |
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Riverside Bait & Tackle |
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1477 W. River Road, Nichols, NY 13812 - Phone 607-699-3474
Retail sporting goods store-fishing, archery, black powder, all baits and hunting supplies.
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Wright's Sporting Goods |
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95 Ellistown Road, Waverly, NY 14892 Phone - 607-565-9533
Open M-F 9 AM - 5 PM; Sat, 9 AM - 4 PM; Sun, 10 AM - 2PM. Outdoor bait machine. |
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River Fun 
