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Lake Information for Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek lake was impounded on Deep Creek in the 1920's and was filled by 1929. It was constructed to power a small-scale hydroelectric plant, but later became a vacation destination with many amenities for tourism. Deep Creek Lake still provides water to generate electricity but is managed to maintain lake level for an array of recreational opportunities including boating and fishing. Deep Creek Lake State Park is located on the shore of the lake and offers fishing piers, a swim area and beach, boat ramp, picnicking, covered pavilions, and camping opportunities.
Deep Creek Lake is unique in that it lies within the Ohio River Drainage west of the eastern continental divide. Ultimately it's waters flow to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. Deep Creek Lake is Maryland's largest impoundment at 3900 acres at a full pool Photo of Ryan Pavol holding a smallmouth bass caught at Deep Creek Lake.elevation of 2462'. The lake is 13 miles long with 69 miles of shoreline and drains a watershed of 140,000 acres. Maximum depth is about 75' near the dam breast area with an average depth of about 25'.
Deep Creek Lake supports a wide variety of desirable gamefish species. It may be best known for it's bass fishery. Although smallmouth bass are the most common species, largemouth bass generally anchor the catches of winning anglers during the frequent bass fishing tournaments. The quality of the bass fishery and the fact that gas powered boats are permitted on Deep Creek Lake makes it a popular site for bass fishing tournaments. Walleye are also common but always require dedication on the angler's part to locate and catch. A close relative to the walleye, the yellow perch, is also abundant in Deep Creek Lake and attracts a lot of attention from fishermen, particularly through the ice in winter. Although northern pike are not common, they create a specialized trophy fishery for those anglers who target the species. Chain Photo of anglers holding yellow perch caught ice fishing at Deep Creek Lake.pickerel are common and aggressive and often provide action under weather conditions when other species are inactive. Deep Creek Lake supports a true trophy fishery for bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish. Many citation sunfish are caught each season in the 9 to 11" size range. The current Maryland bluegill record of 3 lbs 7 oz was caught in Deep Creek Lake as well as the current northern pike record of 24 lbs 12 oz. The long time Maryland record yellow perch of 2 lbs 6 oz was also caught in Deep Creek Lake. Previous Maryland record fish from Deep Creek Lake have included walleye and brown trout.
It's supports a variety of fish habitat from steep rocky shorelines near the dam breast to silt bottomed shallow coves in the southern end. Deeper areas of the lake maintain cold water for trout year-round. Submerged stumps and the many floating docks along the shoreline provide excellent cover for both largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as sunfish species.
From I-68, take Exit #14 (US 219) S for 14 mi. to McHenry and beyond. 10 mi. NE of Oakland
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Bill's Outdoor Center
- 20768 Garrett Hwy - Oakland, MD
- (301) 387-3474
- Nicklow's Wholesale Live Bait
- 7315 National Pike - Addison, PA
- (814) 395-3931
- S & S Bait & Tackle
- 2903 National Pike - Chalk Hill, PA
- (724) 438-3871
Boat Rental
- Crystal Waters Boat Rental
- 20160 Garrett Hwy - Oakland, MD
- (301) 387-5515
- Patterson Boat CO Incorporated
- 106 Round Beach Circle Dr - Swanton, MD
- (301) 387-5000
- Silver Tree Inn
- 567 Glendale Rd - Oakland, MD
- (301) 387-0650
Vacation Rental
- Deep Creek Lake Vacation Rentals
- 20590 Garrett Hwy - Oakland, MD
- (717) 566-6593
- Touch of Home Cabins Vacation Rentals
- 228 Chickadee Ln - Rockwood, PA
- (814) 233-4367
- Mackadia Vacation Home Rentals
- 2166 County Line Rd - Champion, PA
- (724) 942-4477