Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 2
- Access Points
- 2
- Species
- 18
Deep Creek Lake, situated in western Maryland's Garrett County, is the state's largest impoundment, covering 3,900 acres at full pool elevation of 2,462 feet. The lake stretches 13 miles in length with an impressive 69 miles of shoreline and drains a watershed of 140,000 acres. Created in the 1920s by damming Deep Creek to power a small-scale hydroelectric plant, it was filled by 1929 and has since evolved into a popular vacation destination. The lake features varying depths, with a maximum of approximately 75 feet near the dam breast area and an average depth of about 25 feet. Deep Creek Lake offers diverse fishing habitats, from steep rocky shorelines near the dam to silt-bottomed shallow coves in the southern end, making it an excellent year-round fishing destination.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Deep Creek Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Deep Creek Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Deep Creek Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Maryland licenses and regulations
Maryland Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Maryland Fishing License
Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to sport fish/crab. They can, however, purchase a recreational crab license if they want to catch the bushel of crabs allowed with that license.
Maryland Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Maryland Stream Access Laws
Current law in Maryland seems quite friendly to public access to floatable water, allowing access at all public bridges and road crossings of floatable water. Though historically the state has only recognized waters subject to the ebb and flow of tides as navigable, that definition appears to have broadened. A complete list of public waters and access points is available on the Maryland DNR website.
Take Deep Creek Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Deep Creek Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Deep Creek Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Deep Creek Lake and check the forecast before you go.
ARROWHEAD RUN AT THAYERVILLE, MD
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