Position
39°41.8′N 77°56.5′W
Blairs Valley Lake is a small, fertile lake in Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area, north of Clear Spring in Washington County, right on the Pennsylvania line. DNR manages it for largemouth bass and panfish (bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie) and stocks adult rainbow trout in spring and fall. A 2025 survey found a balanced bass population with many fish over 12 inches.
When to fish
- Spring and fall: trout stockings and active bass and panfish.
- Summer: oxygen runs out below about 8 feet, so DNR notes most of the lake's volume is unusable to gamefish; fish the shallow weeds rather than deep water.
- Winter: DNR says ice fishing is popular for stocked trout and panfish.
Where to fish
- Weed beds: the main cover for bass and panfish in this shallow lake.
- Brush piles, Christmas trees and reef balls: DNR has added habitat around the lake.
- Near the dam riser: the deepest water, at about 18 feet; the upper half of the lake is under 10 feet.
- Anywhere on the shoreline: fishing is allowed along its whole length.
Getting there
The lake is on Blairs Valley Road north of Clear Spring. There's a free boat ramp and parking lot; only electric trolling motors are allowed. Statewide limits apply. You need a Maryland nontidal fishing license, plus a trout stamp if you fish for trout.
Right now
Current conditions
- Air
- 51°F
- Wind
- 2 mph
- From the SE
- Sky
- Clear
Source: National Weather Service
From the water
Latest reports
No reports yet
No fishing reports have been published for Blairs Valley Lake yet.
Field guide
What you can catch
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