The Best Fishing Lakes In Maryland

Guide to top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in MD.

Deep Creek Lake, Jennings Randolph Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir, Tridelphia Reservoir, and Youghiogheny River Lake are some of the most popular places for fishing in Maryland, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species.

Maryland boasts a variety of fishing lakes that cater to different preferences and target species. Warm water lakes, characterized by their higher water temperatures, are popular destinations for anglers seeking a wide range of gamefish. Deep Creek Lake, located in western Maryland, is the state's largest warm water lake and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can reel in species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. Liberty Reservoir, located near Baltimore, is another notable warm water lake known for its bass fishing, particularly largemouth bass.

On the other hand, Maryland is also home to several cold water lakes that provide a unique fishing experience. These lakes, with their colder temperatures and oxygen-rich waters, are ideal habitats for trout and other cold water species. Loch Raven Reservoir, located just north of Baltimore, is renowned for its trout fishing. Anglers can target rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout, among others. The Savage River Reservoir in western Maryland is another cold water lake that offers excellent trout fishing opportunities.

In addition to bass and trout, Maryland's fishing lakes are home to various other species. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries provide ample fishing opportunities for striped bass (rockfish), bluefish, white perch, and catfish. Many lakes and reservoirs in the state also harbor species like crappie, sunfish, chain pickerel, and muskellunge, offering diverse angling experiences.

Whether you prefer warm water lakes with bass and panfish or cold water lakes with trout, Maryland's fishing lakes cater to a wide range of species and fishing preferences. With its scenic landscapes and abundant aquatic life, anglers are sure to find their preferred fishing experience in Maryland's diverse lake systems.

Bass Lakes

Broadford Lake, Deep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, Piney Run Lake and Prettyboy Reservoir are considered the best options for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. More...

Catfish Lakes

Deep Creek Lake, Lake Habeeb, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir and Prettyboy Reservoir are favorite options for channel, blue, white and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie Lakes

Lake Habeeb, Liberty Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish & Panfish Lakes

Broadford LakeDeep Creek Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, Piney Run Lake and Prettyboy Reservoir are popular spots to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Lakes

Deep Creek Lake, Jennings Randolph Lake, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir and Prettyboy Reservoir and Youghiogheny River Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Lakes

Deep Creek Lake, Lake Habeeb, Piney Run Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake are among the best, larges lakes for trout. Together with smaller lakes, ponds and rivers there are favorite options for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown and lake trout. More...

Striped Bass Lakes

Liberty Reservoir and Piney Run Reservoir are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Maryland fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Maryland map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in MD at many of the most popular destinations in the state.

Best Destinations By State.