Juniata River
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Juniata River Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Juniata River. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Smallmouth BassTechniqueFinesse JigsSeasonWinterStructureFlooded BrushWe have had a very mild winter and the smallmouth don’t seem to mind. After a big storm came through Friday river was 2 feet over normal and pretty dirty. We found fish in Eddies where you expect them to be in the winter but pretty close to current seams. They weren’t shy about about eating the baits either had a couple make my line jump they ate the jig so hard. Ran up a local creek and caught some there too. Love the different colors of smallmouth.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRiver ChannelsCouldn’t ask for better spring day on the River. Warm, water had a little color to it and was a foot higher than normal. We caught them throwing a handful of baits but the cricket seemed to be the top producer of quality bites. We didn’t catch any spawners but can’t be far off they were about busting at the seams. If you live close and never fished these rivers you need to. These fish claw and fight every day and it shows when you hook one.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureLaydownsBass were in all stages of spawn but water came up 3 feet and was pretty stained. Took a little to find them again but seemed like every current break or tree in the water had fish around it. Fun morning on the river lots of healthy fish including one over 5 lbs. which is pretty big here in central pa. That thunder cricket/spunk Shad is a nasty combo. Was shocked how many fish you could catch on one trailer. Will be def buying more.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureRiver ChannelsFrom the launch I run my peddle-drive kayak upstream until my 65 year old legs need a break. I drop anchor for a bit and make a few casts. Then I pull up the anchor and drift with the current. I cast the weightless Texas-rigged fluke slightly upstream and work it back. That way it faces mostly downstream as it works across the river channel. My setup for this technique is a Dobyns Xtasy 723SF spinning rod paired with a Shimano Vanford 3000 reel. I like to use 10# braid with a 10 - 12 foot fluorocarbon leader. The braid adds sensitivity and the fluoro leader allows the fluke to sink. Everything works together nicely for a natural presentation. Great spring through fall technique!
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRiver Channels
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBuzzbaitsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureBrush PilesFished the Millerstown, PA area on the Juniata River. Fish were tight to laydowns and log jams connected to the shore in 3-5 feet of water. Water clarity was clear, and the water temperature was between 64-68 degrees fahrenheit.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRiver Channels
Water was stained from 2" of rain earlier in the week. Drifting the boat with the current and bouncing baits along the bottom worked best.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSpinnerbaitsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureLaydowns
June 12th. Visibility 0-2 feet. River was coming down after a small rise. Fish were holding tight to wood laydowns, in 2-6 foot of water.
