Including the Chesapeake Bay’s largest underwater grass bed, extending over thousands of acres, the shallow waters of the Susquehanna Flats is an important habitat for numerous fish species and, therefore, a literal playground for fly fishers in Harford County. Accessing the Susquehanna Flats starts with launching at Millard Tydings Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. Next, you are faced with the decision of which fish species to target out on the water. Choices include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, striped bass, yellow perch, catfish, northern snakehead and blue catfish. From there, you have literally miles and miles of shoreline surrounding the Susquehanna Flats, including Swan Creek on the western shore and North East River on the eastern shore. And within the Susquehanna Flats, you have thousands of acres of shallow water habitats, much of it vegetated from late spring through early fall. Clearly it’s going to take a number of return fishing trips to explore all these fish-filled waters.

Site Location

The Susquehanna Flats are located at the northern end of Chesapeake Bay, next to Havre de Grace, Maryland in Harford County, where the Susquehanna River enters the Bay.

Address

Millard Tydings Memorial Park, 352 Commerce Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078

How to Get There

Heading north on Interstate 95 above Baltimore, take Exit 85 heading south on the Aberdeen Thruway. Then take the exit onto north Route 40/Pulaski Highway, taking a right turn onto Post Road as you enter Havre de Grace which turns into Revolution Street, then a right turn in South Union Avenue followed by a left turn onto Commerce Street.

Parking & Launching

There are paved parking spaces for 17 trailers and about 40 parking spaces on grass for car toppers. You can launch your boat at the Havre de Grace Town Ramp in Millard Tydings Memorial Park, 352 Commerce Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078. There is a fee for launching trailed boats, but not one for launching car top carried watercraft. There are no boat rentals available.

Where to Fish

You will need a boat to fly fish the flats which constitute a sprawling, shallow delta at the mouth of the Susquehanna River just a short boat ride from the Havre de Grace boat ramp. Fish within and along the underwater grass beds as well as areas where there are deeper waters nearby.

What to Catch

Striped bass, largemouth bass, blue catfish and channel catfish

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 7-9 weight fly rods with floating, intermediate and sinking fly lines. For largemouth bass, recommend medium sized poppers and floating frog patterns, Clouser minnows, and other minnow imitations. For striped bass and catfish, large Clouser minnows, Lefty's Deceivers and other minnow imitations.

Fly Fishing Organizations

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