Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, is a popular destination for aquatic recreation and fishing. Spanning approximately 3,900 acres with nearly 69 miles of shoreline, this impoundment offers diverse habitats for a wide array of fish species. Its varied underwater topography, featuring steep rocky shorelines, silt-bottomed shallow coves, submerged stumps, and aquatic vegetation, supports a thriving ecosystem. Anglers are drawn to its abundant and diverse fish populations year-round.
Popular Game Fish
Deep Creek Lake is known for its game fish populations. Largemouth bass, while less abundant than smallmouth bass, are often quality-sized fish, frequently targeted in fishing tournaments. They inhabit shallow coves with aquatic vegetation, submerged stumps, and floating docks, which provide excellent cover. Smallmouth bass are more common and are found throughout the lake, favoring rocky shoals, stump-fields, and areas with deep-water access. These aggressive fish can be caught using various methods, including soft plastics or crankbaits.
Walleye are another prized species in the lake, known for their flavor and tendency to bite at night. They are found along sharp drop-offs and transition areas, typically in waters 20 to 40 feet deep. Deep Creek Lake maintains an abundant walleye population, with many males in the 16 to 18-inch range. Northern pike are also present and provide a trophy fishery, with some fish exceeding 40 inches in length. These ambush predators lurk in weed beds or around submerged timber, striking with speed.
Chain pickerel are common and aggressive, providing consistent action, especially in cooler weather. They prefer weedy areas, fallen trees, and brush piles, where they ambush prey. Deep Creek Lake also supports populations of trout, including rainbow and brown trout, which are stocked annually. These coldwater species thrive in the lake’s deeper areas, which maintain cooler water temperatures year-round.
Other Aquatic Residents
Beyond game fish, Deep Creek Lake hosts other aquatic residents, contributing to its biodiversity and offering additional fishing opportunities. Yellow perch are abundant and attract attention from anglers, particularly during winter ice fishing. These schooling fish often reach 12 to 15 inches and are found along drop-offs and in nearshore areas with vegetation.
Bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish are also prevalent, with Deep Creek Lake supporting a trophy fishery for these species. Many bluegill caught are in the 9 to 11-inch size range, and the current Maryland state record bluegill of 3 pounds 7 ounces was caught here. These panfish are found in shallow areas, often around submerged stumps and floating docks, and are a popular target for families. Crappie, including black crappie, are another common panfish, often found in roving schools along drop-offs or around submerged timber and bridge pilings. Catfish, such as bullhead catfish, are also present, adding to the lake’s diverse fish community.