Piney Reservoir

Piney Reservoir is Frostburg's 120-acre water-supply lake in Garrett County, a shore-and-ice-only fishery where boats aren't allowed. DNR calls it a warmwater lake with abundant panfish and quality largemouth bass, stocked with trout in spring and fall. To thin out the panfish and grow bigger ones, DNR has stocked predators, first tiger muskie and more recently saugeye, a walleye–sauger cross that handles warm water well; some saugeye have already topped 24 inches. It's one of western Maryland's most popular ice fishing spots.

When to fish

• Winter (ice): DNR calls Piney a very popular ice fishing lake for panfish, trout and yellow perch. Stay off ice under about 4 inches thick; no ice is ever fully safe.
• Spring and fall: trout stockings add put-and-take fishing.
• Open water all season: largemouth in the timber, panfish in the weeds, and a chance at a saugeye or tiger muskie.

Where to fish

• The shallow upper end: heavy summer weed growth holds panfish.
• The lower half: standing timber is prime largemouth cover.
• Sunken pine trees: DNR has placed them at strategic spots within casting range of shore.
• Not the dam face: fishing there is prohibited and posted.

How to fish it

Through the ice, DNR reports anglers jigging small panfish jigs for bluegill, crappie, yellow perch and stocked trout, and fishing live minnows for bass, pickerel and perch.

Getting there

Piney Reservoir is off US 40 Alternate, north on Piney Run Road east of Grantsville. The City of Frostburg owns the whole shoreline and allows fishing and ice fishing from it; there's an accessible pier, but no boats of any kind. Statewide limits apply to all species. You need a Maryland nontidal fishing license, plus a trout stamp if you fish for trout.