Maryland Fishing Spots Where Bass, Trout, and Snakehead Lurk

Quick Take

• One Maryland lake consistently posts the highest tournament bass catch rates in the entire state, yet most anglers have never heard of it. Discover Lake Habeeb →
• There's a Maryland river that bans live bait, and that very restriction is exactly what makes it worth fishing. Explore the lure-only river →
• Maryland's largest freshwater lake has a trophy fishery most anglers skip entirely by only visiting in summer. See Deep Creek's trophy fishery →
• A Baltimore County river holds a designation that most people associate with famous Western trout streams rather than the Mid-Atlantic. Visit Gunpowder Falls Tailwater →

Are you going fishing in Maryland? Then you’re in for a treat. The state offers abundant waterways on the Atlantic Ocean, gorgeous coastlines along the Chesapeake Bay, expansive lakes with perfect depths, and hidden ponds with tons of cover. These prime fishing locations are full of perch, catfish, bass, trout, and other diverse fish species. If you want to catch a trophy-sized bass or just want to have fun at a catch-and-release river, this article is for you. Read on as we uncover some of the top fishing spots in Maryland.

1. Unicorn Lake

Unicorn Lake is a 43-acre lake in Queen Anne’s County managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). There is only one boat ramp, but the western shore is accessible for shoreline fishing. There is also an ADA-accessible fishing pier next to the boat ramp. Target species include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. The tailrace of the Unicorn Lake dam is also stocked with trout every spring as part of the state’s Put-and-Take trout program.

2. Lake Habeeb

Take a trip to Rocky Gap State Park to fish the 243-acre Lake Habeeb. Scenic hiking trails provide anglers full access to the lake’s 9.4 miles of shoreline. The lake is known to provide some of the highest tournament catch rates of largemouth bass in the state. Smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, sunfish, plus brown and rainbow trout are also fish to target at Lake Habeeb. The lake offers fishing piers, two public boat ramps (fee required), swimming areas, camping, and other activities.

4. Blair’s Valley Lake

The MDNR Fishing and Boating Services manage the game fish population at Blair’s Valley Lake in Washington County. The lake may range from 22 to 32 acres, depending on the season. The warm water fishery contains largemouth bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, tiger muskie, and black crappie. Yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, and carp inhabit the lake as well. Rainbow trout are also stocked during spring and fall. There is a free boat ramp at the lake, and fishing is allowed along the entire shoreline.

5. Youghiogheny River

Are you looking for a catch-and-release location? Then you should plan a visit to the Youghiogheny River in Garrett County. The catch-and-release trout fishing area is four miles long. It begins at the Deep Creek Lake power plant and runs to Sang Run Bridge. There are plenty of boulders and limestone bedrock to provide prime fishing opportunities. Only artificial lures and flies are permitted at Youghiogheny River. As you fish for trout and smallmouth bass, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most scenic places Maryland has to offer. Ospreys, mink, and river otters also call the Youghiogheny River home.

6. Tuckahoe Lake

Tuckahoe Lake is located in Tuckahoe State Park. The lake is just 19 acres in size and has a maximum depth of seven feet near the dam. You can catch the aggressive chain pickerel at Tuckahoe Lake, as they love hiding in the aquatic roots and tree stumps. You’ll also be able to catch diverse species such as black and white crappie, pumpkin seed fish, brown bullhead, and carp. The lake even supports a healthy bass and bluegill fishery managed by the Freshwater Fisheries Division of the MDNR. There is a single boat ramp with an ADA-accessible fishing pier next to it.

7. Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County is the largest freshwater lake in the state, covering six square miles. The lake is well-known for its large panfish, walleye, and smallmouth bass populations. Deep Creek Lake also produces trophy-quality largemouth bass and Northern pike. During the winter, the lake is a popular ice fishing location. The main access point for boaters is the is the public boat launch at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Shoreline fishing is also permitted. Anglers should use a public access point to reach the public shoreline.

8. Gunpowder Falls Tailwater

The Gunpowder Falls tailwater is well known as a world-class trout fishery. According to the MDNR, the fishery runs from Prettyboy Reservoir in northern Baltimore County down to Loch Raven Reservoir. The upper catch-and-release section is 7.2 miles from Prettyboy Dam to Blue Mount Road. The middle section is 4.2 miles down to Corbett Road, and allows a daily limit of two kept fish. The lower section stretching to Loch Raven Reservoir is a put-and-take fishery with a five fish per day limit.

9. The Potomac River

The Potomac River runs 405 miles from its headwaters in West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay, providing plenty of opportunities for different types of fishing. The more popular non-tidal northern Potomac River fishery consists of fish species such as brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, muskie, and walleye. The southern Potomac River, including the tidal and brackish sections, is known for blue catfish, largemouth bass, and northern snakehead.