Near Oakland, Maryland, there is a 3,900-acre lake called Deep Creek Lake. One of the biggest tourist destinations and best lakes to visit in Maryland is this vast inland body of water. The lake's surrounding forested mountains make it not only a fantastic location for outdoor leisure but also rather spectacular. The lake was created artificially as a result of the 1920s hydropower plant that was built on Deep Creek.

Water sports enthusiasts will find Deep Creek Lake to be the ideal playground, with opportunities for tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and paddling. Additionally, it has 111 kilometers of coastline.

A large variety of freshwater fish and aquatic birds call the lake, which is a component of Deep Creek Lake State Park, home. With lots of trout, bass, walleye, and yellow perch, it is a fisherman's paradise. A boat launch is available for motorized boats. The park contains a pleasant, little beach, picnic spaces, and about a mile of lakeshore. In the neighborhood is also the Wisp Ski Resort.

The lake's abundance of freshwater fish makes it a great place to go fishing. Fish like large mouth bass, rock bass, northern pike, brown trout, and walleye are frequently caught in the lake.

Location: Garrett County, Maryland

With the 243-acre Lake Habeeb at its center, Rocky Gap State Park is a 3,000-acre public park surrounded by rough mountains in Allegany County, Western Maryland. Edward Habeeb, a florist who contributed to the area's development, was honored with a lake named in his honor. The Rocky Gap Run, which flows down a mile-long ravine, through towering cliffs and overlooks, and is bordered by a hemlock forest, dense rhododendron bushes, and mountain laurel, provides the water for the lake.

Kayakers, canoers, and boats with electric engines are all common on the lake. A public boat ramp is located off Pleasant Valley Road. The lake's perimeter extends over 15 kilometers, and it has three outstanding beaches. Among the activities available here are swimming, camping, and hiking.

The fishing at Lake Habeeb is equally excellent, and it is allowed every single day! Some of the species that live in the water include channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout.

Location: Allegany County, Maryland

With an average depth of just 8 feet, Lake Needwood is a 75-acre lake located in Rock Creek Regional Park just outside of Rockville, Maryland. When a dam was built across Rock Creek in 1965 to help with flood control and stormwater runoff, the lake was created. It is also a fantastic lake for recreation, with boating, rowing, and canoeing available.

Largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and trout are all stocked in the lake. Although a fishing license is required, fishing is allowed. Hikers can follow the beachfront trail to the water to experience it from land.

The hills surrounding Lake Needwood and the lake are beautifully viewed from the paths that surround it. Around the lake, Rock Creek Regional Park was constructed. There is a concession where tourists can rent kayaks or canoes or sign up for a tour of the lake even though swimming is not permitted in the lake. Boating is highly popular there. There are picnic spaces, a children's playground, an archery range, a snack bar, a golf course, and a system of hiking and bike routes in the parkland surrounding the lake. A variety of intriguing displays may be seen at the Meadowside Nature Center, including an aviary with live birds like owls, hawks, and an American bald eagle.

Location: Montgomery County, Maryland

A few miles outside of Baltimore, the Loch Raven Reservoir is a pristine man-made lake bordered by thick woodlands and crossed by a maze of hiking routes. After a dam and water tunnel were constructed to direct water to the neighbouring lakes of Lake Clifton and Lake Montebello, the lake was formed in 1881. After a while, Loch Raven Reservoir turned into a refreshingly cool location to spend hot summer weekends. The city of Baltimore receives its drinking water from Loch Raven Reservoir. Additionally, it is used for leisure pursuits, particularly by city people on a hot summer day.

There are many of other species that may be caught here, but boat rentals are offered for those who wish to fish for bass, bluegill, crappie, white perch, or walleye. Given that the water is utilized for drinking, swimming is not permitted.

On the weekends, Providence Road and Morgan Mill Road around the lake are blocked to traffic so that people who enjoy running, walking, biking, and rollerblading can take advantage of the smooth asphalt surface and breathtaking lake vistas. Those who would prefer to experience the lake from inland can do so by going along the trails that encircle it. It's a nice location for a picnic in the afternoon as well.

Location: Baltimore County, Maryland

Centennial Park, a 325-acre (1.32 km2) park in Howard County, Maryland, close to Columbia, Maryland, and Clarksville, contains Centennial Lake, a 54-acre (220,000 m2) artificial reservoir. It was built by constructing a dam over the Little Patuxent River's Centennial Branch.

The lake is used by the county and the state to conserve several fish species, including trout and bass. Fishing restrictions are in place, though occasionally they have been waived due to an excess of fish. Current fishing laws are those set forth by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

To appreciate the tranquil lake on one side and the lovely native and exotic trees on the other, stroll or bike along the 2.5-mile-long paved route. You'll get a different but equally beautiful perspective of the location with each season. Visit the wildlife refuge at the western end of the lake if you like to observe wildlife. This lake is the ideal location for boating, camping, or enjoying a romantic sunset. Swimming is not permitted here, though.

Location: Howard County, Maryland

Clopper Lake, located within Seneca Creek State Park, spans 90 acres and has an average of 18 feet of depth. The lake has a lot of lush green flora, which enhances its aesthetic appeal. This is one of the best lakes to visit in Maryland. Even a deer or two occasionally peeks out from behind the foliage. A watchful blue heron can be seen around the shoreline, calmly waiting to catch a fish or a small turtle that has come to enjoy the sunshine.

The finest method to relax and commune with nature is to go boating on flat water. However, swimming is not permitted here, unlike many other lakes in Maryland.

To gain a comprehensive picture of the lake and its surroundings, take a hike along the Lake Shore Trail. For more adventure, you can also check out the other surrounding trails. Visit during the fall for the most beautiful reflection of the leaves on Clopper Lake.

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland

One of the most popular state parks in Maryland for families is definitely Cunningham Falls State Park. It is just stunning. It's a great place for camping or just relaxing in the outdoors for the day. The park is lovely all year round, and the fall foliage is breathtaking. Hunting Creek Lake, also known as William Houck Lake, is particularly well-liked. The sandy beach at the lake is a highly well-liked vacation spot in the summer, and boating and fishing are also quite popular activities.

The weekend before Memorial Day through Labor Day, lifeguards are on duty every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, the beach is only officially available for swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Environmental awareness is greatly enhanced by the Scales and Tales program. Visitors can get up close and personal with non-returnable reptiles and wild birds of prey like eagles.

The hike to Cunningham Falls in the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park is a great one for little ones. Cunningham Falls State Park is a terrific place for a wide range of entertaining activities if you're seeking for something other than swimming.

Location: Cunningham Falls State Park, near Thurmont, Maryland

The Patapsco River serves as the primary source of water for Liberty Reservoir, which flows outside of Baltimore. With a shoreline length of 131 km at full pool, the reservoir has an 18 kilometre length. Maximum depth is 144 feet, with an average depth of 59 feet.

At Liberty Reservoir, you can go hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and all of those things. Additionally, the 1,225-hectare reservoir is a pleasant spot to unwind. Beautiful views of the reservoir and its surrounds can be seen from lookout points. When the leaves are changing colors in the fall, it is especially lovely. Spend a peaceful day by the lake listening to the pleasant chirping of the birds without being bothered by the sound of the motorboats.

Camping is not permitted near the water and swimming is not permitted in it. The city owns the lake, which is also the location of a shooting range utilized only by the Maryland State Police.

Location: Baltimore and Carroll Counties, Marylan

The 300-acre Piney Run Reservoir is a stunning place surrounded by 550 acres of farmland and forest. It was opened in 1974 along with Maryland's oldest park. Rock climbing, picnicking, camping, tennis, swimming, and hiking (with more than 5 miles of trails readily accessible) are all enjoyable activities, but fishing draws a lot of visitors to the lake.

Fishing is allowed from piers, boats, and the bank (except at the Wildlife Management Area at the north end of the lake where there is absolutely NO fishing allowed). You are permitted to fish from boats or from the shore in Maryland if you have a valid fishing license. Striped bass, largemouth bass, tiger musky, trout, catfish, panfish, and a variety of crappie species can all be found depending on the location.

Location: Southern Carroll County, Maryland

Within Tuckahoe State Park is the 60-acre lake and creek known as Tuckahoe Lake, which has a picture-postcard appearance. You're lucky if you can visit Tuckahoe Lake in the fall; the breathtaking beauty of the backdrop's changing foliage will make you not want to leave. This is one of the best lakes to visit in Maryland.

Bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, carp, brown, and bullhead are just a few of the fish species found at Tuckahoe Lake. Children might enjoy catching chain pickerel close to roots and stumps along the shore. The creek is well known for the spring migration of hickory shad, river herring, yellow perch, and white perch.

A 15-mile multi-use walk, picnic sites, cottages, camping, a playground made out of recycled tires, and other activities are available in addition to fishing.

Location: Caroline, and Queen Anne’s counties, Maryland

The 38-acre Lake Artemesia was created as part of the Washington Metro Green Line project. It is a good place to go fishing, although anyone over 16 must have a non-tidal fishing license.

The lake also has an accessible fishing pier, aquatic gardens, and more than two miles of paved hiking and biking trails that around the lake for activities like running, inline skating, walking, and riding. Given that the lake is surrounded by shaded trees, it's the ideal location for a stroll.

In the Lake Artemesia region, the Luther Goldman Birding Trail attracts amateur and expert bird watchers who are looking to see finches, orioles, ibis, and other birds. Join the Prince George's Audubon Society's monthly bird walks on the first and third Thursdays for a more educational "tour."

Location: Berwyn Heights,Maryland

Given that it combines a "natural" lake with waterpark slides and pools, this lake in Maryland is possibly the most unusual of all the lakes in the state. Patrick and Suzanne Flynn, a husband and wife, bought Cascade Lake in 1992. Since then, they have increased the number of pools, waterslides, pavilions, and splash pad sections, many of which plunge visitors right into the lake, and have also purchased an additional 50+ acres. Paddleboats, lifeguards, and a fishing lake (supplied with fish) were also available.

With a steady stream of repeat customers over the years, business was booming. However, after a few storms in 2018, Cascade Lake inundated the surrounding roads, forcing Maryland to drain the lake to contain the flood. Following the epidemic, Cascade Lake was temporarily closed in 2020 but has since reopened as a popular family vacation spot. Swim, fish, picnic, and engage in a variety of other activities.

Location: Carroll County, Maryland.