Conowingo Dam Eagle Photography Guide
In case you were wondering …
When is the best time to photograph eagles at Conowingo Dam?
Peak eagle season is late November through early January, when wintering populations congregate. However, April also offers opportunities with active fishing and flyovers often within 50 feet. Mornings are preferred by most photographers. Parking is available at Fisherman’s Park, though peak winter weekends can be busy.
Here’s a quick look at the best locations for photographing American Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam:
| Location / Zone | GPS Coordinates | Best For... | Recommended Lens | Photography Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Line | 39.6585, -76.1725 | Social / Spotters Elevated view of river |
400mm - 800mm Birds may be closer. Island backdrop. |
Great community vibe with spotters yelling "Incoming!" Wall-to-wall photographers not uncommon. |
| Fisherman's Wharf | 39.6592, -76.1730 | Low Angle Action Closer to the water |
400mm - 800mm Wide view of area. |
Get low to the water level for dramatic backgrounds. Be careful of slippery rocks. Great spot if closer generators are running. |
| Rocky Bank | 39.6570, -76.1710 | Solitude / Backlight Quiet, fewer people |
400mm-600mm Closest to action. Lower chance of action. |
Access from Fence Line. Good for backlit sunrise shots, but the sun angle can be tricky early in the morning. |
| Parking Lot Trees | 39.6580, -76.1715 | Perched Portraits Eagles eating lunch |
70mm - 400mm They fly right over you! |
Don't forget to look BEHIND you! Eagles often grab a fish and fly into the trees directly above the parking lot to eat. |
American Bald Eagle fishing at sunrise - taken from Rocky Bank
There are days when you want to capture the world exactly as it is—raw, unscripted, and a little bit wild. And there are days when you want to capture the world as we wish it could be—curated, glowing, and perfectly composed.
Then, there are the ambitious days where you decide to do both.
I recently completed a "sunrise to starlight" day trip that’s perfect for those living in (or visiting) the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It was an incredibly rewarding and completely full day that challenged me with two different photographic disciplines: wildlife (birds in flight) and landscapes.
The challenges? Start the day by tracking the predatory speed of Bald Eagles at the Conowingo Dam in Maryland, and end it by capturing the jewel-toned glow of Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.
I’ll be honest, it was a long day. My hands were frozen, my feet were tired, but my memory cards were full, and the images were totally worth it.
To start, let’s look at the best way to photograph the American Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam
Part 1: Morning “Rush Hour” at Conowingo
My alarm went off well before dawn, but if you want the birds, it’s best to beat the sun! I arrived at Fisherman’s Park (on the Harford County side of the dam) just as sunrise turned the sky marvelous shades of purple and orange.
Conowingo Dam is legendary among wildlife photographers for a reason. From late November through early to mid-January, hundreds of Bald Eagles gather just downstream on the Susquehanna River. Let’s be clear, this isn’t a kids’ petting zoo; it’s a gladiatorial arena with eagles fishing and fighting each other for scraps. Some days you’ll see dozens of fishing episodes. One day, I saw 100 in an hour! But how can one section of a river support a veritable bird buffet?
The dam.
Fish swimming downstream through the complex end up shooting through the dam’s turbines, and many emerge dazed and confused. The floating fish don’t stand much of a chance against such skilled hunters, and the shad, crappie, catfish, and more all become part of an incredible wildlife show that you might expect to see narrated on TV by David Attenborough.
The Best Locations for Photographers (see map below): In the morning, the sun rises downstream of the dam, and its path throughout the day is above and behind photographers. Just across the way, Eagles dot the trees on Rowland Island (off limits), line the rocks across the river, and perch on multiple electrical towers directly in front of photographers.
Photographers take their shots from a couple of locations, each with different opportunities and challenges.
Rocky Bank
Located across from the island below the fence line. Plusses: Any eagle activity in the immediate river will be closer to you. Shots in the AM can be stunningly backlit. Negatives: It’s a tricky walk. Early-morning light is a challenge (sunrise to your right, with a dark island in the background). Your auto-focus WILL hunt. You could get skunked here while other photographers are getting images higher up and closer to the dam.
“Nikon Alley” or the Fence Line
Slightly closer to the dam, elevated above the rocky shoreline. Plusses: Good view of close river shots. Great shots in the trees. Access to the dam area shots with a longer lens. Lots of folks are acting as spotters and offering advice. Access to your car and porta-potties. Negatives: Same shot sorries - there will be a dozen or more photographers lined up here. You might get “Lenvy”. Lenvy defined: The overwhelming need to upgrade your glass based on other photographer’s camera gear. Also, it’s not the place to stand if you’re looking for solitude.
“Canon Cliffs” aka. Fishermans Wharf
50+ yards closer to the dam and lower to the water. Plusses: Good view of the river and the far banks. A good number of photographers and spotters. Close to the dam with a decent number of fishing episodes. Being near the water level delivers some amazing action shots. Negatives: Too far for most island channel shots. You’ll see lots of action here - but much of it too far away for details shots unless you’re at 600mm+!
“Sony Shores”
The shoreline closest to the dam below the Canon Wall. Plusses: water level access for action shots. Solitude and space. Negatives: not as many opportunities for action shots.
The Lens(es) You Need to Photograph Eagles At Conowingo Dam
Bottom line, you need a lens with reach at Conowingo dam to photograph 80% of the action with detail. Most of the eagles set up on the far side of the river on the rocks (3 - below), or the center island, and you’ll need a minimum of 800mm to get any detail across the Susquehanna. They will often come closer to fish and then a 400mm-500mm+ will do just fine and get the detail you want.
Additionally, they will soar overhead to the trees and hills behind you. Then, a 400mm or even a 70-200mm will work great. If the generators close to the shoreline are on, it’s game on for potential close-up fishing, and these lenses can also deliver great action shots!
Pro Tips:
When I first started photographing the eagles fishing, my ‘point of contact’ images were blurry. The frames before and after were tack sharp, but the blasted *most important images were a dismal failure. Finally, I put down the lens and studied the event. Here’s what I saw. Right before an eagle drives its talons into the water, it slows up to ensure the catch. My mistake? I kept panning as if the bird were a plane or a race car, keeping the same pace. Once I started taking a slight pause at impact, my images improved.
In my experience at the dam, it is better to shoot with a faster shutter speed and compensate with higher ISO than a more open aperture.
Here are a few area maps that show various locations of importance for photographing the eagles at Conowingo Dam
Common locations for photographing Conowingo Dam
Common locations of eagles and detail of Conowingo Dam
How to get to Conowingo Dam to Photograph Eagles and General Area Map
On Google: Enter “Fishermans Park, Conowingo Dam” for directions to the parking lot! GPS coordinates: 39.655610, -76.173579
Map of Conowingo Dam area and directions into Fisherman’s Park / eagle viewing & photographing
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I’ve been shooting with a Z9 (1.4TC engaged) and a stacked 1.4TC to achieve 780mm reach. I shoot at 20 fps and spend most of my time in AF Full/Bird mode. In my experience, it’s best to push your ISO and keep shutter speed high—at least 1/2000th of a second. I’ve started pushing to 3,200 or 4,000 whenever possible. Eagles pivot quickly in the air, and when they dive for a Shad stunned by the dam’s turbines, the action is explosive.
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Assuming you arrive after the 3rd week of November, you’ll likely see large numbers of eagles, and most likely witness them fishing. There are 12 pair of ‘resident’ eagles so seeing eagles up and down the Susquehanna River in this area year round is common.
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Great Blue Herons are stationed on the rocks and island below the dam like prehistoric sentinels. Double-crested cormorants skim the water like well-thrown skipping stones, seagulls flock the dam opening, and black vultures kettle in the sky. While the eagles are the stars of the show, take a few moments to watch and photograph some of their less popular brethren - they are beautiful as well.
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There are numerous porta-potties, and that’s about it. Conowingo Pizza, located about 1.5 miles away, will deliver onsite. Additionally, Royal Farms (located right nearby Conowingo Pizza has coffee, food, gas, and warm/clean bathrooms.
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To find out about generator and dam conditions, along with access to the park due to weather, call the Conowingo dam hotline at 1-888-457-4076
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This is a slightly complicated answer. First off, ideally a prime lens will work better here than a zoom as the light at this time of year is fleeting. A minimum of 70mm-200mm is required and that will work for flyovers, some eagles in trees and if you’re very lucky a super close fishing event. I’ve found that even a 400mm prime is too short for many of the fishing episodes. I would suggest that a 400mm with a 1.4 tc or longer. is a good starting point. An 800mm with a 1.4 tc excels here. If you’re counting on your iPhone I’d suggest bringing binoculars and using the phone to take video of the landscape action.
Part 2: The Bridge to More Beauty - Longwood Gardens
By 1:00 PM, you’ll likely be hungry, need to use the restroom, and may want to warm up. If you’ve gotten your ‘hero’ shot for the day I’d highly suggest shedding a few layers and heading to Longwood Gardens - just 40-minutes away - to challenge your photographic skills in an entirely different way!
PRO TIP: The drive from Conowingo Dam to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is an easy straight shot up Route 1, taking you through Rising Sun, MD, and Oxford, PA. Along the way, you’ll find multiple gas stations, restaurants, fast-food locations, and more.
Love these images? Every photograph in this guide is available as a fine art print. Contact me to discuss sizes, framing, and shipping.
Last Updated: January 2025
