Central Maryland Lakes Worth a Try

[Jim Gronaw]

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents here on the public fishing scene in Maryland. These lakes are worth a try if you are looking for new water...

CUNNINGHAM FALLS LAKE...In Frederick County near Thurmont. Trolling motors only. 60 acres. Good bluegill, red ear and crappie opts with stocked trout in spring and fall. Big red ears...excellent bass lake with 3 to 5 pounders available. They feed on trout in the spring.

Greenbriar Lake, Washington County...another small but good panfish lake with gills, red ears and pumpkinseeds. Stocked trout again and big bass feed on them. Wouldn't be surprised if a 12 pound largemouth came from here one day.

Rocky Gap Lake, or Lake Habeeb...290 acres, a bit west at Flintstone MD but has all the panfish species with quality gills and red ears leading the way. Trolling motors again, camping and cabins in the park for overnight. Big stocked trout and bass over ten pounds have been recorded over the years. Big channel cat options and some crappies.

Black Hills Lake, Montgomery County...550 acres and has lots of panfish, although somewhat smaller in average size than some of the other lakes. Hydrilla issues in the summer, good bass. Maybe a few leftover tiger muskies from past stockings.

Piney Run..Carroll county owned and operated. Despite a ton of regulations, this, for my money, is still the best small lake venue in the state, with gills, crappies, yellow perch and big channel cats. Many 3 to 5 pound bass and the striper fishery is peaking now with 10 to 20 pound fish in the mix, even bigger. Great multispecies fishing here.

Centennial Lake, Howard County...small 43 acre lake with crappies, gills and the occassional hawg bass. Some channel cats. Big pumpkinseeds. You can rent kayaks here or fish from the bank. Trolling motors again. Again, stocked trout action in the spring.

Any lake that recieves a stocking of trout has the potential to produce trophy largemouth bass. This is especially true of the smaller lakes under 100 acres.

hope this helps...

[Chris Roberts]

Your knowledge of MD fishing never ends does it!  I'll bookmark this for sure.

[Jim Gronaw]

Thanks Chris...but keep in mind that these are basic guidelines for these waters. watch water levels as they drop Cunningham Fall down sometimes or lower the others depending on repairs and such to infrastructures. Weather plays a huge role in turning fish on, or off. Hope this helps a bit.