Flowing through Cecil County and into the Susquehanna River just downstream of the Conowingo Dam, Octoraro Creek is uniquely situated to provide fly fishers with both a range of fly fishing experiences—shoreline, wading and via boat—and opportunities to catch over a dozen different fish species. At this one Trail site, you can catch largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, white perch, walleye, trout, American shad, hickory shad, northern snakehead and flathead catfish. Why? As they say in real estate–location, location, location. 

Its connection with the Susquehanna River below the dam provides access to migratory species like striped bass, American shad, hickory shad, yellow and white perch during the spring months. Its free flowing riverine habitats provide fly fishers with access to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye and other species from spring through fall. And wade fishing the adjacent Susquehanna River or launching a canoe or kayak into the river, brings opportunities to connect with flathead catfish among other species.

Site Location

Octoraro Creek flows through Cecil County and into the Susquehanna River just downstream of the Conowingo Dam.

Address

Conowingo Park and Octoraro Creek Trail MD Route 222/Susquehanna River Road, Conowingo, MD 21918

How to Get There

From Interstate 95, take exit 93 onto Perrylawn Drive heading north and then a left turn onto MD Route 222/Susquehanna River Road. Follow MD Route 222 along the Susquehanna River, then take a left hand turn into the parking lot for Conowingo Park just prior to driving over Octoraro Creek.

Parking & Launching 

Parking is located on a gravel lot. The water access point is located at the end of a trail that extends beyond the circle at the far end of the parking lot. Canoes and kayaks can be launched from the shoreline into Octoraro Creek which leads directly to the Susquehanna River.

Where to Fish 

You can fly fish from the bank or by wading in Octoraro Creek. You can also launch canoes and kayaks to fish in the adjoining Susquehanna River. In both the creek and the river, fish deeper pools, riffles, and where large rocks provide good structure.

What to Catch 

Spring: Hickory shad, american shad, yellow perch, white perch, striped bass and trout (stocked) 

Summer & Fall: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, walleye, northern snakehead and flathead catfish

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 6-8 weight fly rods with floating, intermediate and sink tip fly lines. For largemouth bass, recommend medium-sized poppers and floating frog patterns, Clouser minnows, and other minnow imitations. For shad, recommend simple red and yellow marabou streamers with size 8 hooks. For yellow and white perch, recommend small shrimp and minnow patterns.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.