Pennsylvania
Susquehanna River at Harrisburg
Current River Rating
Excellent · 100
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 55600 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.95 ft
- Water Temperature
- 76.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01570500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
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Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
72°F
Feels like
78°F
Wind
3 mph NW
Wind gust
13 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.13 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 72°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 77°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 79°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 66°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 76°F / Low 60°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Clear
High 80°F / Low 57°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, a major warmwater mainstem reach at the state capital. Smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, and muskellunge are principal targets. USGS gage 01570500 provides live streamflow and stage; water temperature is not treated as a current product parameter while observations remain stale. This record represents the Harrisburg gauge reach, not the entire Susquehanna basin.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Susquehanna River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, a major warmwater mainstem reach at the state capital. Smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, and muskellunge are principal targets. USGS gage 01570500 provides live streamflow and stage; water temperature is not treated as a current product parameter while observations remain stale. This record represents the Harrisburg gauge reach, not the entire Susquehanna basin.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth bass are a primary warmwater target on the Susquehanna mainstem at Harrisburg.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Channel catfish are common on the Harrisburg Susquehanna mainstem.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye are a common large-river target around the Harrisburg Susquehanna corridor.
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Muskellunge are present in the Susquehanna system near Harrisburg under PFBC management.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Large mid-Atlantic warmwater mainstem habitat at the Harrisburg urban corridor with islands and ledges.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Drift fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
City and state park riverfronts, PFBC launches, and Susquehanna water-trail access serve boat and bank anglers; confirm current launch status, river stage, and urban-river hazards. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point.
Stocking information
Warmwater and coolwater species are established, with management support that can include stocking. Confirm current PFBC stockings on the official schedule.
- Stocked
Muskellunge
Stocked · Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Official sources
Large-river regulations and special urban rules can change. Verify current PFBC guidance for the Harrisburg Susquehanna reach.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Pennsylvania
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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