Monster Catfishing on the Susquehanna
Fishing trips run from April-October
*WED-THU-FRI-SAT-SUN*
*We only fish 2 locations on the lower Susquehanna
-Lake Clarke
-Lake Aldred
*We target Monster Flathead Catfish & Channel
Catfish.
3 TRIP OPTIONS
-6 hr Trip
-10 hr Trip
-Kids 3 hr Trip
6 Hour Fishing trip-$350
*Wed-Sun 7pm-1am*
1 to 2 anglers. Add $50 for each additional angler . 4 anglers max!
10 Hour Fishing trip- $550
*Wed-Sun 7pm-5am*
1 to 2 anglers. Add $50 for each additional angler. 4 anglers max!
Kids Fishing trip- $150
*Wed-Sun* 3pm-6pm
3 Kids Max & 1 Adult
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
A $100 deposit is required on all fishing trip bookings. Deposits are non refundable.
We understand that from time to time “stuff” happens, but this is our livelihood and we pay the bills by keeping the boat full and on the water. Cancellations must be made 15 days before the date of the trip. When you cancel with at least 15 days notice we’ll hold the deposit and apply it to another date in the same calendar year.
If you have to cancel a trip with less than 15 days notice, the deposit is forfeited.
If you cancel less than 72 hours before your fishing trip start time or don’t show up for your fishing trip at the booked date and time, your credit card will be charged for the entire trip.
Deposits are non-refundable unless your trip is canceled by Wicked Fishing Co. The Decision on canceling due to weather are solely decided by the Captain. If it’s safe to fish we’ll fish, this includes the weather being cold, slight rain, wind, etc, we’ll fish! We want everyone to be comfortable and have a good time but cancellations due to weather are 100% our decision. If it’s unsafe we’ll cancel otherwise we’ll fish and these decisions are at the captains discretion!
What to Expect
Once you choose your date and have paid your deposit for your catfishing trip, we will reserve the date for you.
One to two days prior to your trip you will receive an email from us of an invoice and we will verify the date, time to meet and location.
You will only need to bring food, drinks, your Pennsylvania fishing license and appropriate clothing.
The day of the fishing trip
please arrive a few minutes early so you can be ready to go when we arrive at the boat ramp. Most of the time we are out catching bait and we'll arrive at the ramp at the scheduled meeting time to pick you up to start our fishing adventure.
If you have any questions at any time you can call (717)965-4840.
What to bring
Food and Drinks: All you need to bring is your food, drinks and fishing license. You can bring a small ice chest for your food and drinks.
Alcohol: You are welcome to bring beer on the boat but it must be in cans or plastic bottles. It is illegal to bring glass bottles on the water. Hard liquor is not allowed on the boat due to our insurance carrier. You are welcome to enjoy a few beers on the boat as long as it is done in moderation.
Clothing: It is always cooler on the water than at your house or hotel, so dress warmer than what you think you will need. You can always take clothing off, but you cannot add them if you don’t have them. It is a good idea to have some sort of rain gear.
Sunglasses: Light reflects off the water and makes it very bright all year long. This not only makes it hard to see but will give you a headache. Bring a pair of sunglasses.
Fishing License: This is your responsibility and is required by the state. We will not ask to see your
you license, or verify you have one. This is required by law. If you choose not to purchase a license or forget, and we get stopped on the water, you will receive the citation.
Pennsylvania Fishing licenses can be purchased at https://www.fishandboat.com/Fishing/Buy-License/Pages/default.aspx
Payment
Payment is due in full the day before the trip
unless prior arrangements have been made.
Gratuity: I often get questions about tipping. If you enjoyed yourself & you think the crew worked hard, Tips are accepted & appreciated, but they're not expected.
Inclement Weather
In the event of bad weather, we will contact you the morning of the trip.
time to go
The time to be at the boat launch will be indicated in the email you received. Please be on time, or a few minutes early. If you are not there when we get there& we don't hear from you, we will wait for 30 minutes. If after 30 minutes we haven't heard from you, we will leave and your credit card will be charged the full amount for the trip. Please communicate with us if you are running late or lost.
Children
We welcome children on our trips. Any children 16 years & under are free with a paying adult. Please make sure we are aware if you are bringing children so we can assure we have proper fitting life jackets. If we do not have the correct sizes available you are expected to bring them. Anyone under 13 years of age is expected to have a proper fitting life jacket and it must be worn at all times when on the boat.
Gear
We have all the gear needed and it's in good working order, appropriate for the techniques we are using and is rigged correctly. you may bring your own, but keep it to a minimum of 1 rod & reel per angler please.
Lost Equipment: One rod and reel setup costs $275. We ask that you respect our gear when using it. We have rod holders all around the boat. If there is a bait in the water you need to either have the rod in a holder or in your hand with a firm grip. if you throw one of our rods and reels in the water, drop it in the water, or lay it down with bait in the water and it gets pulled in...there will be a replacement charge of $275. for the lost rod and reel.
Catch and Release: We release all CATFISH! NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY
We practice catch and release because we target and catch trophy size catfish. Some Catfish we have caught were 53 lbs. & over and 30+ years old. We would like to continue to see them grow, & the only way is to let them go. I do not recommend eating anything out of this river for your safety. I will post some educational links for you to read below.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/11/fecal-bacteria-contamination-of-susquehanna-river-is-getting-worse.html?outputType=amp
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/feces-related-bacteria-again-found-in-susquehanna-river-at-harrisburg-environmentalists.html?outputType=amp
https://lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org/current-issues/harrisburg-water-quality/
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Fishing is a quest for Knowledge as much as a pursuit of fish
When You book a trip with Wicked, not only do you have a chance of catching a monster but you learn all the knowledge needed to start targeting and catching these beasts on your own. View the gallery below to see some of the monsters that have been caught.
"What our Customers are Saying"
History of the Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna Valley was inhabited by man. Nomadic foragers, hunters and gatherers traveled up and down the Susquehanna, by canoe and by trail. Semi-permanent settlements began to appear along the waterways around 1200 B.C. At the time of the European arrival, the Susquehanna was peopled mostly by the Susquehannock and Seneca tribes.
Although there are rumors of Spanish pirates looking for gold in the Susquehanna during the 16th century.
By the end of the 18th century iron furnaces, lumber operations, and farmers were tapping into the natural resources of the Lower Susquehanna Watershed. To transport these commodities numerous canals were initiated to make the river into a transportation system.
The 19th century brought the industrial revolution to the Susquehanna Valley. Coal mining, land clearing, paper mills, and domestic waste made the waters unusable for domestic uses. Many epidemics broke out from use of this polluted waterbody.
By the 20th century, man seems to have given up on the waterways, and most became waste disposal systems for metals, coal tar, VOC’s, railroad refuse, and many other pollutants. The 20th century also brought the giant dams, coal-burning power plants, nuclear plants, and incinerators, this created barriers for fish migration, heating the temperature of the river, changing the aesthetics, and reducing the quality of this ancient river.
Awareness in the 1960’s and 1970’s brought numerous watershed groups into existence. By the 1980’s many waterways were severely impaired and the fate of the Chesapeake Bay was unknown. This brought larger conservation groups like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Their work has been tremendous, and water quality has not worsened much since.
The millennial decades brought new impacts such as::
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over-development and poor land use planning
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rise of the industrial factory farm
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production of vast quantities of byproduct industrial waste
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simultaneous efforts to use such contaminated materials as ‘beneficial reuse’ fill and effluent.
Science continually teaches us more about how to minimize our impacts on the intricately balanced relationships within and around our waterways. Our status continues to threaten clean water & the work that has been done to improve and protect the waterways of the Lower Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. There are solutions out there, but it will take focus and commitment to assure proper stewardship of our home.