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Maryland · Fishing
Oakland, Maryland sits in the far western corner of Garrett County at an elevation that keeps summers cool and winters serious, and the fishing around town reflects that mountain character.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Oakland, Maryland sits in the far western corner of Garrett County at an elevation that keeps summers cool and winters serious, and the fishing around town reflects that mountain character. The four stillwater spots listed here — Murray Swamp, Pine Swamp, Little Yok Reservoir Site Number 5, and the Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir — are all lake or pond fisheries, meaning you're working structure, drop-offs, and weed edges rather than reading current. The Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir is the largest and most accessible of the group and draws anglers from well outside the county. Murray Swamp and Pine Swamp are smaller, quieter, and worth the extra effort to find if you want to fish without company. Little Yok Reservoir Site Number 5 is a designated access point on a managed water, so check current Maryland DNR regulations before you go — access rules and seasonal closures on managed reservoir sites can change. None of the waters in this listing are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so temper expectations accordingly and focus on a relaxed, exploratory outing rather than a trophy hunt.
The activity listings here cover lake fishing across four stillwater sites, but species aren't specified in the available data. For the Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir and the smaller swamp ponds, your best move is to check the Maryland DNR fishing atlas or call the Western Maryland regional fisheries office before your trip — they can tell you what's been stocked and what's reproducing naturally in each water body.
Yes. Any angler 16 or older needs a valid Maryland non-tidal fishing license. If you're fishing the Little Yok Reservoir Site Number 5 or the Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir, there may be additional stamp or access requirements tied to the managed site designation, so verify with Maryland DNR before you show up.
Howell Run Picnic Area
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WV.
Horseshoe Recreation Area
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WV.
Murray Swamp
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Youghiogheny River - Sang Run Access
~8 min drive
Hard
Casselman River - Accident Access
~21 min drive
Easy
Robert W Craig
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WV.
North Branch Potomac River - Barnum Access
~31 min drive
Moderate
Outflow Camping
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near PA.
Stuart Recreation Area
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near WV.
Jess Judy
~1h 8m drive
A worthwhile stop near WV.
Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Trout Run - Garrett County
~19 min drive
Hard
Oakland's elevation means ice-out on the smaller swamp ponds can run into April, and water temperatures stay cooler through summer than lowland Maryland lakes. Late spring through early fall is the most productive window overall. Fall can be excellent on the Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir as fish feed up before winter.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive times on lake and pond fisheries like these, when fish move shallower to feed. Midday in summer is generally slow, though fishing deeper structure on the Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir can hold fish through the heat of the day.
The listings don't specify boat launch infrastructure at Murray Swamp or Pine Swamp, and given their swamp classification they may be better suited to a small kayak or canoe than a trailered boat. Scout access points on satellite imagery before you go, and assume you may be fishing from the bank or a hand-carried watercraft unless you confirm otherwise.
