Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap State Park)

Lake Habeeb is the 243-acre mountain lake at Rocky Gap State Park, just off I-68 east of Cumberland. It's clear, deep and stratifies in summer, which DNR calls a "two-story" fishery: warmwater fish in the weedy upper layer and stocked trout in the cold water below. DNR says its largemouth bass give some of the highest tournament catch rates in Maryland, and it's a good panfish lake for bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and yellow perch. Weeds grow to about 20 feet deep, making an unusually deep weed edge.

When to fish

• All year: fishing is allowed 24 hours a day, and DNR stocks adult trout for put-and-take fishing.
• Winter: when the lake freezes, ice anglers catch yellow perch, rainbow trout, largemouth and sunfish.
• Summer: the lake is busy with swimmers and campers, so fish early and late, or fish the deep weed edge and the cold layer below it.

Where to fish

• The deep weed edge: grass reaches about 20 feet down, holding bass and panfish.
• Reef balls and habitat structures: DNR has sunk concrete habitat around the lake, including 50 reef balls at seven popular spots.
• The shoreline: the Lakeside Loop Trail circles the lake and gives easy bank access; there are fishing piers too, including a small accessible one by the concrete ramp.
• Deep water near the dam: the cold layer where trout hold in summer.

How to fish it

Fish bass along the weed edges and structure. The Fish & Hunt Maryland fly guide suggests poppers and bass bugs for bass and panfish, attractor dry flies for trout, and stripped streamers or woolly buggers below the surface. The park runs a tackle loaner program if you arrive without gear.

Getting there

Take I-68 exit 50 to Pleasant Valley Road and Lake Shore Drive. The park charges an entrance fee, and in the busy season day-use visitors need advance reservations on weekends and holidays. There are two boat ramps (fee), and paddlers launch at designated spots such as the day-use beach; only electric motors are allowed, boats need navigation lights after dark, and the buoyed swim beaches are off limits. The upgraded campground launch was closed in spring 2026 because drought lowered the lake, so check its status. Rental canoes, kayaks and paddle boats are available. You need a Maryland nontidal fishing license, plus a trout stamp if you fish for trout.