FRESHWATER FISHING HOTSPOTS
Piney Run Reservoir
Located in Carroll County

Owner - Carroll County Department of Parks and Recreation

History - Piney Run Reservoir is located within Piney Run Park in southern Carroll county. The 300 acre lake was completed by the Corps of Engineers in 1974. There are two boat ramps available for launching your vessel (entrance fee at park gate), however gasoline motors are prohibited. Boat rentals including canoes and kayaks are available at the boat ramp. Night crawlers are sold during the Park season. The park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset daily from April 1 to October 31. During the off season, November 1 to March 31, parking is permitted outside the entrance gate from sunrise to sunset. A number of fishing tournaments are held by the park throughout the year which include some night fishing opportunities, they also hold other popular events such as the Herb (in May) and Apple (in September) Festivals. Those interested in these events may call the gatehouse at 410-795-3274 for dates, times, and general information pertaining to amenities and events.

Physical/ Habitat Description - Floating piers, as well as, fishing platforms provide additional fishing possibilities. Maximum depth of the lake reaches 50 feet. Water clarity can be defined as clear. Artificial structures were placed in close relation to fishing piers. In recent years there has been an over abundance of vegetation hindering boating and fishing strategies during the summer and fall time periods.

Fish Species - Piney Run Reservoir supports an incredible fishery, arguably, one of the best in the state. Quality size largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish, and black crappie are common. The lake also affords the possibility to catch striped bass which have had limited natural reproduction. Tiger muskie were first stocked in 1996 and have now reached the legal size of 36 inches. Rainbow trout are stocked annually in Piney Run Reservoir as part of our Put-and-Take trout program. Other fish species you may encounter while visiting Piney Run are: pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, white sucker, spotfin shiner, bluntnose minnow, banded killifish, golden shiner, creek chub, and tessellated darter.

Restrictions - Gasoline motors are prohibited. No fishing from dam structure, wildlife management area, or any steep embankment. Ice fishing is prohibited. Swimming is prohibited.

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Contact Piney Run Park:

30 Martz Road
Sykesville, MD. 21784
Phone: 410-795-3274
e-mail at pineyrunpark@ccg.carr.org

Contact Us - Any fisheries questions, comments about Piney Run Reservoir please direct them to:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Service
Lewistown Work Center
10932 Putman Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us Comments to Lewistown WC