Best fishing lakes in Maryland: 5 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake covers 3,630 acres. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. At about 75 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Deep Creek Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Raymond Pond

At about 5,190 acres, Raymond Pond is a good-sized lake. It lies about 4.9 miles northeast of Cambridge. The usual Maryland mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Raymond Pond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Liberty Reservoir

Liberty Reservoir is a reservoir of 3,030 acres of water. The lake is near Eldersburg. The usual Maryland mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 144 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Liberty Reservoir supplies drinking water to the Baltimore area and spans the Baltimore-Carroll county line.

Liberty Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Loch Raven Reservoir

Loch Raven Reservoir covers some 2,400 acres. You will find it about 2 miles southwest of Towson. Loch Raven Dam holds it on the Big Gunpowder Falls. Like most lakes its size in Maryland, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Loch Raven Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Prettyboy Reservoir

Prettyboy Reservoir is a reservoir of 1,500 acres. You will find it about 16 miles southeast of Towson. It is the Gunpowder Falls behind Prettyboy Dam. Like most lakes its size in Maryland, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 129 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Prettyboy Reservoir is a Baltimore City water-supply reservoir on Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County.

Prettyboy Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Which lake for which fish

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Deep Creek Lake, Raymond Pond, Liberty Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir
• Walleye: Deep Creek Lake
• Crappie: Raymond Pond, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir and Prettyboy Reservoir
• Catfish: Raymond Pond, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir and Prettyboy Reservoir

Season by season

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually fair. Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Before you go

A Maryland fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.