Frostburg Reservoir in Garrett County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Garrett County, Maryland, sits Frostburg Reservoir. The surface lies 2,365 feet up. It measures about 81 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. About 2.5 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Maryland listings. The nearest place of any size is Frostburg, 5.3 miles away. The big place round here is Pittsburgh, 73 miles distant. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Frostburg Reservoir

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Garrett County include bluegill, brown trout, yellow perch, brook trout and smallmouth bass. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Take Frostburg Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 24°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. The open-water window runs from around late March to about late December in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Plan around that when you fish Frostburg Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Western Maryland Reservoir sits 4.8 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Frostburg Reservoir before loading the car.