safe harbor dam catfish

A dam at the Safe Harbor hydroelectric plant impounds the lake, and you’ll find some of the best fishing in the tailrace area where the turbine generators discharge. Was wondering if you are allowed to fish the Safe Harbor Dam. Get directions, reviews and information for Safe Harbor Dam in Conestoga, PA. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). Pequea Creek Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. Suite 500, Troy, Michigan 48084 USA. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Electrofishing catch rates in the Safe Harbor Dam tailrace and on Lake Clark were poor. Flathead catfish, including several young, have been caught below the Safe Harbor Dam on the lower Susquehanna River this summer. Discussion in 'Central Pennsylvania Fishing' started by streaker69, Feb 22, 2015. Bates has been chasing the flatheads on the Susquehanna and guiding others to exciting adventures with the monsters about as long as anyone. In these waters you will find largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, both in large quantities, plus you will probably come across some walleye, carp, crappie, and catfish too. He began guiding professionally on the river in 1999, focusing at first on the world-class smallmouth fishery found there, but adding the non-native flatheads to the client menu as the monsters proliferated and spread upriver. We didn’t hook any record flatheads, but Casey did connect with a 20-pound 34-incher, which was the largest fish for an angler who spends most of his time on the water pursuing trout in the 9- to 18-inch range. The electrofishing results near Marietta indicated, however, that potentially good smallmouth bass fishing was available in fall 2006, in particular stretches of the river. If not where is a good place with easy access to the river to target catfish. Was wondering if you are allowed to fish the Safe Harbor Dam. The flathead caught by the Maryland survey crew also is heavier than the largest record in the books maintained by the commission, which ranks angler record by the weight of the fish. Catfish and Carp 158,982 views David H. fished with Al's Susquehanna Guide Service on July 19, 2019 . But they are there, huge apex predators capable of swallowing nearly every living thing they encounter. The first few miles of the river downstream of the York Haven dam offers great muskie and walleye fishing, although the fish move a lot and can be a challenge to find at times. Fish lifts work by using water currents to attract the migrating fish into a channel. An agreement was established in 2018 between the Conowingo Dam’s owner, Exelon, and the Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC) to implement voluntary, adaptive best management practices that reduce the spread of northern snakeheads while still allowing migratory fish passage. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The fish began showing up in the Susquehanna River around the year 2000. With water temperatures in the river now in the low 40s, the flathead catfish now are doing less cruising and more hanging out, conserving their fat reserves in preparation for the coming winter. Misenko said he caught a 15-inch flathead July 13, near the Safe Harbor Dam. We also brought 9 other flatheads, ranging from 7 to 11 pounds, to the boat. The flowing section of the river upstream of Safe Harbor, between Columbia and the York Haven Dam, is seen as the best hope for the fish to spawn successfully. In July 2002, a number of small flathead catfish were caught downstream of Safe Harbor Dam. DISCUSSIONS. Pound for pound the strongest freshwater fish I’ve caught and the scenery along the Susquehanna River is amazing . During two days of operations, 21 shad passed the Holtwood Dam and one was observed passing the Safe Harbor Dam fish lift. The Conejohela Flats are a group of islands in the flooded Conejohela Valley, a large floodplain along the southernmost 30 miles (50 km) of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States. And, since then the species has been caught by anglers upriver as far as Sunbury and into the Juniata River. According to the commission, in 2002 several small flatheads were reported downriver of Safe Harbor Dam, … Has to be easy access due to me wanting to bring my kids along. The Safe Harbor Dam (also Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Station) is a concrete gravity dam on the lower Susquehanna River with an associated hydroelectric power station.It is the most northerly and last of three Great Depression-era public electrification projects' hydroelectric dams and was constructed between 1 April 1930 and 7 December 1931. A flathead caught at the Dock Street Dam at Harrisburg in 2009 was the first confirmed catch of the species that far upriver. The United States Catfish Association Forum and Community. Let's face it, there's a lot we can learn and share from one another like what bait or lure is generating the best results. Use Mr Bruchey as their fishing guide and he’ll show you how to catch smallmouth bass. Pa Fishing Friends. Also, since I now have 2 babies, 18mon and 5mon, I am always looking for good spots for fishing with my boys. Please support high-quality local journalism. That was a muskellunge weighing 54 pounds 3 ounces caught in 1924 in Conneaut Lake in Crawford County by Lewis Walker Jr., of Meadville. Fishing for giant catfish on the Susquehanna River. Safe Harbor Dam is a dam located just 5.7 miles from Millersville, in Lancaster County, in the state of Pennsylvania, United States, near Lockport, PA. Join us as we discuss the Pennsylvania Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. The fish began showing up in the Susquehanna River around the year 2000. Tricks for bank fishing big rivers. Information × OK Join. Since the early 1950s, a partnership of electric utilities, government agencies and environmental and sporting groups have worked together to restore American shad to the Susquehanna River. The area we now call Safe Harbor was important to the Indians and traders of the 1600s, and to the European settlers that arrived in the early 1700s. John Horgan. In Pennsylvania, flathead catfish are native to the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela river watersheds in Western Pennsylvania. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Conowingo, Holtwood and Safe Harbor Dams, the first three moving upriver, have fish lifts or elevators. The fish are more common in the southern and midwestern portions of the country. This Fishing Message Forum is open to the public. The largest this year was 38 pounds 3 ounces. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. The long concrete dam has created a wide lake (fishing); below the dam is a watery bog. Anglers have been introducing the species into rivers of the eastern two-thirds of the state, and the species spreads quickly through its new home, where it becomes the top-tier predator. 37 in. That's more than 8 pounds heavier than the largest flathead catfish recorded by an angler in Pennsylvania. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The valley was flooded primarily during the early 1900s by the construction of the Holtwood, Conowingo, and Safe Harbor dams from 1910 to 1931. Lock 2 features an upper and lower Boat Ramp and Access area and is located along the part of the river known as Lake Clarke, the ten-mile lake formed behind Safe Harbor Dam. Fishing for catfish and striped bass from shore. FORUMS. But one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs in the Northeast is located on the islands of the Susquehanna River just south of the Safe Harbor Dam between York and Lancaster counties. Joined: Feb 6, 2015 ... Of all the catfish baits we have tried, nothing has come close to a bag of frozen shrimp from walmarts. This lake also provides rare scenery, fine fishing, and boating. Subscribe to PennLive. All rights reserved (About Us). Thanks. Safe Harbor Dam. The Safe Harbor Fish Lift System. 3 Reviews (800) 692-6328 Website. The species was confirmed in the tailwaters of York Haven Dam at York Haven, York County, in 2005. Safe Harbor Park features opportunities for outdoor fun, like tennis courts, quoit boxes, a ball diamond, children’s playgrounds, fishing in the Conestoga River, and a walking path. Please access the website using one of the following supported browsers: In comparison, a large channel catfish - a species native to the Susquehanna - might come close to 36 inches in length, and the "large class" begins as a fish tops 20 inches. 1931 Postcard of Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Dam A Brief History of Safe Harbor Area. Monster catfish, bigger than most of us imagine, are cruising the waters of the Susquehanna River. A flathead caught at the Dock Street Dam at Harrisburg in 2009 was the first confirmed catch of the species that far upriver. Conowingo was not sampled. To access this group, please Log In . So you're out on the Susquehanna River fishing near Safe Harbor Dam, and you hook into a monster flathead catfish. Followers 660 Catches 73 … Flathead catfish, which are native in waters from western Pennsylvania south, began showing up in the Susquehanna River around the year 2000. The largest caught by one of Bates’ clients was 39 pounds 15 ounces. 4mos ago - Pequea Creek. When thinking of Native American rock carvings known as petroglyphs, one typically envisions desert Southwest. While the average strength of monofilament line used by anglers on the Susquehanna likely averages 6-12 pound-test, Bates spools his flathead reels with 65 pound-test line, tipped with 80 pound-test leader, because “that’s the thing that’s down in the rocks” being dragged and scuffed along every bit of underwater obstruction. Flathead Catfish with a live bluegills. Fishing and farming were early occupations. The 417 MW Safe Harbor Dam in Pennsylvania sits on the Susquehanna River. Based on the observation of flathead catfish populations observed thus far in the Delaware River Basin and Schuylkill River Basin, it is expected that these fish will become part of the fish community in the Susquehanna. - Duration: 7:52. Long Description: "SAFE HARBOR, 11.9m (192 alt., 82 pop. 22 lb. Although larger flathead catfish likely live in the river, the largest recorded to date was a 56.5-pound, 44-inch fish pulled from a hoop net by a fisheries survey crew from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on August 30 in the Susquehanna less than a mile downriver of the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line. Page 2 of 3 < Prev 1 2 3 Next > truecrimson JAWS. Since 1997, flatheads have also been caught in the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, and in the Blue Marsh Reservoir, all in eastern Pennsylvania. Partial operation began in 1934. We apologize, this browser is not currently supported by the site. ), formerly a settlement of shad fishermen, is the site of the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Plant (open at all times) with a capacity of 510,000 horsepower. Walleyes take spinnerbaits in the center, and smallmouths are caught with everything from jigs to red wigglers in the many eddies and holes in the banks. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! This group is closed to the public. York Haven Dam, the fourth dam, has a vertical slot fish ladder. Continue with: Join Now . Information: This board is currently read-only. NOTIFICATIONS. There is a dam located here, called the Safe Harbor hydroelectric plant, and some of the best fishing can be found in the tail waters of this dam. According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, James Shabrach Jr., of Boyertown, certified a 46-pound-6-ounce flathead that he caught in 2006 in the spillway of the dam at Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County. MESSAGES. 6 hour trip with Al. He said other men fishing in the area caught similar fish. Flathead and channel cats abound at the bottom of this part of the river, which is near Conestoga. From this access you can boat or paddle over to the Conejohela Flats which serve as vital habitat for … Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 3290 W. Big Beaver Rd. JavaScript is disabled. If not where is a good place with easy access to the river to target catfish. Has … The flathead grows to more than a hundred pounds in some southern and western waters, but 20-30 pounds is more common in Pennsylvania. You out several active members from Pa. on here, maybe now 'll. Smallmouth bass 2009 was the first confirmed catch of the country pound for pound the strongest freshwater fish ’. 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