Piney Run Reservoir

Piney Run Reservoir is a 300-acre lake in Carroll County's Piney Run Park, just north of Sykesville. DNR calls it arguably one of the best fisheries in Maryland: quality largemouth bass, big redear sunfish and bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish and black crappie are all common, and it holds some naturally reproducing striped bass, tiger muskie stocked since the 1990s, and put-and-take rainbow trout. It's clear and up to 50 feet deep, with plenty of weeds, lily pads and fallen trees.

When to fish

• April through October: the park season, when boats can launch and rentals are open.
• Summer and fall: thick weed growth can make boating and fishing harder, so fish the edges.
• Winter: DNR has reported anglers catching limits of big yellow perch; ice fishing isn't allowed, and in the off-season you park outside the gate.

Where to fish

• Fallen trees, brush and lily pad edges: the Fish & Hunt Maryland guide's go-to targets for bass and panfish.
• Floating piers and fishing platforms: DNR has placed artificial structure near them, and several are wheelchair accessible.
• The whole lake by boat: shore fishing is mostly limited to the area around the ramps, docks and pier.

How to fish it

The state fly guide suggests poppers, woolly buggers and minnow patterns for bass, crappie and panfish, and woolly buggers or mop flies for the stocked trout; DNR has reported anglers jigging for yellow perch. The park sells nightcrawlers in season.

Getting there

Piney Run Park is at 30 Martz Road, Sykesville: from I-70 take Route 32 north, then West Friendship Road and local roads to the park. There's an entrance fee, two ramps and rentals of canoes, kayaks and boats; only electric motors are allowed, and boats may launch only from April through October. No fishing from the dam, the wildlife management area or steep banks, and no swimming. You need a Maryland nontidal fishing license, plus a trout stamp if you fish for trout.