Angler Use Survey of the Lower Susquehanna River Downstream of Conowingo Dam

Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room

An angler use survey of the lower Susquehanna River was conducted as part of the relicensing for Conowingo Dam. This particular survey targeted recreational anglers fishing downstream of the dam in spring through fall months in 2010. We conducted roving on-site interviews of shoreline and boat-based anglers at several access points along the east and west shorelines of the river. Weekly, low altitude aerial observations via helicopter were used to count anglers and determine fishing location preferences. Anglers were asked to answer questions regarding fish target species, time duration of trip, number and species of fish caught, kept, and released, and home zip code. The data collected was used to estimate total catch per effort, catch per unit effort for individual fish species and overall catch per unit effort. A total of 1,047 angler interviews were conducted; more than 20 species were caught. The common species targeted by anglers included: striped bass, largemouth bass, hickory shad, and white perch.