Picking the best spot for freshwater fishing in Maryland likely will open a debate. There are so many spots for good fishing in the state, and that leads to a variety of opinions on where the best angling is to be had.
A lot of factors will weigh in on where it is best to fish in Maryland. Finding a prime location will depend on time of the year and which type of fish is being sought.
The following are some of the best fishing areas in Maryland.
Loch Raven Reservoir
In 2010,
Game & Fish Magazine offered up the opinion that Loch Raven Reservoir might be the best place for bass in Maryland. Largemouth bass are popular in the state and the reservoir, north of Towson, hosts many different bass fishing tournaments. Frequently, according to the article, the tournament winners hit in excess of six pounds and, in 2009, there were plenty of smallmouth bass that were caught and weighed more than five pounds.
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Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake is cited by
Game & Fish and
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as one of the state’s fishing hotspots. The lake, which is south of Interstate 68 near the West Virginia border, is owned by the MDNR and, as is the case with Loch Raven, it hosts many bass tournaments. In addition to bass, the MDNR website states that yellow perch is predominant in the lake and chain pickerel are common.
Savage River
The MDNR and
Trails.com both hail the Savage River in Garrett County as a great place for brook trout fishing in Maryland. The brook trout are native to the stretch of river and, in 2002, the MDNR conducted a survey that found more than 1,000 adult male trout for every mile, making it a generous place for anglers.
Piney Reservoir
The Piney Reservoir, also in Garrett County, is another abundant fishing area in Maryland.
The MDNR said largemouth bass are the most popular catch in the area, though the aggressive tiger muskie is starting to carve out a habitat in this area and rainbow trout are stocked at Piney Reservoir.
Youghiogheny Reservoir
Another Garrett County spot is the Youghiogheny Reservoir. The MDNR said smallmouth bass are prevalent there, though walleye and crappie also draw anglers.
Centennial Lake
Centennial Lake in Howard County has an excessive amount of largemouth bass and also is stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish. Tiger muskie also have been caught in the lake.
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St. Mary’s Lake
Southern Maryland Fishing praised St. Mary’s Lake for its variety of fish and the excellent bluegill that are available in the area.
Leonard’s Mill Pond
Leonard’s Mill Pond, on the Eastern Shore near Salisbury, is cited by MDNR as a trophy bass management area. But fishing regulations there have led to good bluegill catches as well as some takes on other fish, such as pumpkinseed sunfish.
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