What special fishing regulations apply at Deep Creek Lake?

Deep Creek Lake carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override Maryland's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Yellow perch, and 1 more. One of them reads: "3,900-acre — Maryland's largest inland water body; 1925 hydroelectric impoundment Youghiogheny River drainage at 2,462 ft elevation Allegheny Mountains; MD's flagship walleye fishery; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined; walleye 15 in min + 18–21 in protected slot (release all 18–21 in), 5 / day, CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 15 (spring spawn); yellow perch no minimum size, 10 / day (nontidal lake); stocked rainbow + brown trout (Trout Stamp); chain pickerel + bluegill + crappie + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

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

Yes. Deep Creek Lake is in Maryland, so a valid Maryland fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Deep Creek Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Maryland rules.

Do Deep Creek Lake's special rules replace Maryland's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Maryland's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Deep Creek Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Deep Creek Lake?

Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Yellow perch, and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Deep Creek Lake, each linking to its full Maryland regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Maryland limits.

2026 regulation year

Deep Creek Lake 2026 — Maryland Fishing Regulations

Maryland statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Deep Creek Lake carries 6 special-regulation overlays on top of Maryland's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Yellow perch, and 1 more species. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

3,900-acre — Maryland's largest inland water body; 1925 hydroelectric impoundment Youghiogheny River drainage at 2,462 ft elevation Allegheny Mountains; MD's flagship walleye fishery; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined; walleye 15 in min + 18–21 in protected slot (release all 18–21 in), 5 / day, CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 15 (spring spawn); yellow perch no minimum size, 10 / day (nontidal lake); stocked rainbow + brown trout (Trout Stamp); chain pickerel + bluegill + crappie + channel catfish
Source: Maryland special-water list

Per-species rules on Deep Creek Lake

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; MD's largest inland water body; 2,462 ft elevation Allegheny Mountain reservoir
Smallmouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; rocky shorelines + drop-offs; mountain-reservoir smallmouth
Walleye regulations →
15 in min + 18–21 in protected slot (release all 18–21 in), 5 / day; CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 15 (spring spawn); MD's flagship walleye fishery
Yellow perch regulations →
No minimum size, 10 / day (nontidal lake); strong still-water yellow perch population
Channel catfish regulations →
No minimum size, 5 / day; channel catfish in the lake's catfish / panfish tier

Official source

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal) publishes the authoritative 2026 Maryland fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Maryland fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Maryland trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Maryland

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Deep Creek Lake?: Deep Creek Lake carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override Maryland's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Yellow perch, and 1 more. One of them reads: "3,900-acre — Maryland's largest inland water body; 1925 hydroelectric impoundment Youghiogheny River drainage at 2,462 ft elevation Allegheny Mountains; MD's flagship walleye fishery; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 5 / day combined; walleye 15 in min + 18–21 in protected slot (release all 18–21 in), 5 / day, CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 15 (spring spawn); yellow perch no minimum size, 10 / day (nontidal lake); stocked rainbow + brown trout (Trout Stamp); chain pickerel + bluegill + crappie + channel catfish." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Deep Creek Lake?: Yes. Deep Creek Lake is in Maryland, so a valid Maryland fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — Fisheries Service (Inland + Tidal). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Deep Creek Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Maryland rules.
Do Deep Creek Lake's special rules replace Maryland's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Maryland's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Deep Creek Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Deep Creek Lake?: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Yellow perch, and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Deep Creek Lake, each linking to its full Maryland regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Maryland limits.

← Back to Maryland regulations overview