It’s a fishing day

Deep Creek Lake fishing conditions · Maryland

Today, 11 am–9 pmSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 86. Water is 58°, inside their 55–78° range, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Log a trip here
Right now: 76 for smallmouth bass, worth the tripTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 763 am
  2. 76
  3. 78
  4. 786 am
  5. 78
  6. 78
  7. 789 am
  8. 78
  9. 86
  10. 8612 pm
  11. 86
  12. 86
  13. 863 pm
  14. 86
  15. 86
  16. 866 pm
  17. 86
  18. 86
  19. 789 pm
  20. 78
  21. 78
  22. 78Tue
  23. 76
  24. 76
  25. 763 am
  26. 76
  27. 76
  28. 766 am
  29. 76
  30. 76
  31. 769 am
  32. 76
  33. 76
  34. 7612 pm
  35. 76
  36. 76
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
58°F

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
2 mph

From the west

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:38 am

Sky
Mostly Clear

No rain expected

Air
36°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Steady

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maryland non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

86GoToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
45°55–78° · ideal 68°88°

Why

Smallmouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside smallmouth bass's active range. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with largemouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on smallmouth bass

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

86GoToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Right in rainbow trout's ideal range. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland statewide trout rule: 2 a day in any combination (4 in possession), no minimum size, open all year. Put-and-take trout areas, which include most stocked lakes, allow 5 a day.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov. More on rainbow trout

Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel

Esox niger

86GoToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
35°45–80° · ideal 60°90°

Why

Right in chain pickerel's ideal range. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 3–15 ft down.

Keep

14" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 14" minimum, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year. May not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Oct–Apr. More on chain pickerel

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

86GoToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
35°45–70° · ideal 58°80°

Why

Right in yellow perch's ideal range. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

9" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal rivers and streams: 9" minimum, 5 a day (10 in possession). Nontidal lakes and ponds: no minimum size, 10 a day.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Feb–Apr, Oct–Dec. More on yellow perch

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

86GoToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
45°55–78° · ideal 68°88°

Why

Muskellunge feeds aggressively under full moon. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside muskellunge's active range. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

36" minimum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: muskellunge and tiger muskie 36" minimum, 1 a day (2 in possession), open all year. May not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: May–Jul, Sep–Nov. More on muskellunge

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

78Worth the tripToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Right in brown trout's ideal range. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Brown trout feeds less actively under bright moon. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland statewide trout rule: 2 a day in any combination (4 in possession), no minimum size, open all year. Put-and-take trout areas, which include most stocked lakes, allow 5 a day. Brown trout may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. More on brown trout

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

74Worth the tripToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
45°55–85° · ideal 72°95°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside largemouth bass's active range. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with smallmouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Nov. More on largemouth bass

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

74Worth the tripToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside walleye's active range. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

15" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 15" minimum, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year. On the Potomac main stem from about half a mile above Chain Bridge to Cumberland, walleye over 20" must be released Jan 1–Apr 15. Deep Creek Lake and the Youghiogheny below the Route 42 bridge are closed Mar 1–Apr 15.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–May, Oct–Dec. More on walleye

Crappie

Crappie

Pomoxis spp.

74Worth the tripToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
40°50–80° · ideal 65°90°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside crappie's active range. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size, 15 a day (30 in possession), open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov. More on crappie

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

74Worth the tripToday, 11 am–9 pm

Water

58°
42°52–86° · ideal 72°96°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside common carp's active range. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland non-tidal waters: no minimum size, open year-round, 15 a day and 30 in possession.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct. More on common carp

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

33Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

58°
50°60–85° · ideal 75°95°

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Below channel catfish's active range (60–85°F). Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on channel catfish

The water

  • Water temperature58°F
  • Barometer30.40 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:38 am
  • Sunset today6:23 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 7:40 am–8:40 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:10 pm–2:10 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:50 pm–6:50 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

Maryland DNR, Oct 14

Freshwater Fishing. The fall trout stocking program continues this week with new locations being stocked. Anglers should keep in mind that not every trout management water will be stocked and are encouraged to check the most updated stocking list on the trout stocking website . The stockings are posted on the afternoon of each stocking day. Fishing for smallmouth bass in the upper Potomac is being enjoyed by anglers this week. Cooler water temperatures are more comfortable for smallmouth bass, and they are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish. Tubes, small crankbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits are all good choices when fishing current breaks and underwater ledges and boulders.

Quoted from the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report. Reports are what anglers and biologists saw that week, not a forecast.

Licenses and rules: MD DNR · trout stocking · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

Maryland's largest freshwater lake at ~3,900 acres in the Garrett County mountains. Multiple public boat ramps and shoreline access points around the lake. A year-round fishery with deep, clear water.

State Park day-use fee at the main state park area. Many access points are free. Lake freezes in winter — ice fishing popular.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Savage River Reservoir8 mi · MarylandBest today 11 am–11 pm
80Worth the trip
Broadford Lake Park8 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–6 pm
80Worth the trip
North Branch Potomac River — Barnum10 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–11 pm
92Go
Jennings Randolph Lake10 mi · MarylandBest today 1 pm–10 pm
92Go
North Branch Potomac River — Luke10 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–12 am
92Go
Youghiogheny River — Friendsville13 mi · MarylandBest now until tomorrow 3 pm
72Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Deep Creek Lake?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Deep Creek Lake you need a Maryland non-tidal fishing license issued by MD DNR (and a separate Maryland trout stamp if targeting trout in non-tidal waters). See the agency's current rules: https://dnr.maryland.gov/pages/service_fishing_license.aspx

What fish are commonly targeted at Deep Creek Lake?

Deep Creek Lake is listed on this site for 11 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, and 7 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Deep Creek Lake?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Deep Creek Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Deep Creek Lake have?

Deep Creek Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. State Park day-use fee at the main state park area. Many access points are free. Lake freezes in winter — ice fishing popular.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Deep Creek Lake?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Deep Creek Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Deep Creek Lake tidal water?

No. Deep Creek Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.

Is there parking or an entry fee at Deep Creek Lake?

State Park day-use fee at the main state park area. Many access points are free. Lake freezes in winter — ice fishing popular.