Herrington Lake
Fly fishing in Maryland · Beginner · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass
About This Water
Western Maryland impoundment with stocked trout. Scenic mountain lake.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to Western Maryland’s high country. As your guide, I’m excited to break down Herrington Lake, the centerpiece of Herrington Manor State Park. Situated at approximately 2,500 feet of elevation in the Garrett County panhandle, this 53-acre lake offers a unique "mountain lake" experience that blends cold-water trout tactics with classic warm-water bass fishing.
🎣 Location Overview
Herrington Lake is a gem of the Appalachian plateau. Surrounded by the 365-acre state park and the sprawling Garrett State Forest, it is characterized by its crystal-clear water and a bottom composed of sand, rock, and organic debris.
What makes it special for the fly angler is the temperature gradient. Because of its high elevation, the water stays cooler longer than most Maryland lakes, allowing trout to thrive well into the late spring. The shoreline is relatively undeveloped, offering a pristine, "wild" feel, and the lack of gasoline-powered engines makes for a peaceful, stealthy fishing environment.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Rainbow & Brown Trout
- Behavior: These are primarily stocked fish, but the lake’s depth and cold springs allow them to hold over better than in lowland ponds.
- Where they hold: In the spring, they cruise the shallow shorelines and near the dam structure. As the sun rises or the season warms, they retreat to the old creek channel that runs through the center of the lake.
- Feeding: They focus on midge larvae, small crustaceans (scuds), and the occasional seasonal hatch of Mayflies (Adams/Light Cahills).
Largemouth Bass
- Behavior: The bass here are "mountain bass"—they grow a bit slower but are hardy fighters.
- Where they hold: Look for them around the submerged timber, the edges of lily pad fields, and the swimming beach area during low-light hours.
- Feeding: They are opportunistic, targeting bluegill fry, crayfish, and large dragonflies that dip near the surface.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (March – May)
- Prime Window: This is trout season. The Maryland DNR stocks heavily during this time.
- Conditions: Overcast days are best. The fish are aggressive and will hold in the top 3–5 feet of the water column.
Summer (June – August)
- Prime Window: Early morning (dawn till 9:00 AM) and late evening (7:00 PM till dusk).
- Conditions: This is the peak for Largemouth Bass. During the heat of the day, trout will dive deep toward the dam where the water is coldest and are difficult to reach with a fly line.
Fall (September – November)
- Prime Window: October is spectacular.
- Conditions: As water temperatures drop, trout become active again, and bass feed heavily to prepare for winter. The fall foliage in Garrett County provides a world-class backdrop.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
For Trout
- Nymphing: Use a Zebra Midge (Size 18-22) or a Pheasant Tail Nymph (Size 14-16) under a small tactical indicator. Set your depth to about 4–6 feet.
- Streamers: A Woolly Bugger (Olive or Black, Size 8-10) is the gold standard here. Use a slow, rhythmic strip-pause-strip retrieve.
- Dry Fly: During a calm evening, try a Griffith’s Gnat or a Parachute Adams (Size 16-20) for rising trout.
For Largemouth Bass
- Topwater: A Popping Bug or a Dahlberg Diver (Size 4) worked near the lily pads at dusk will produce explosive strikes.
- Sub-surface: Gamechangers or Clouser Minnows in chartreuse/white to mimic the local baitfish and bluegill.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Creek Channel: There is a submerged creek bed that winds through the lake. If you can locate this using a depth finder or by observing the shoreline topography, you’ll find the "highway" the trout use to move across the lake.
- The Dam Breast: The deepest water is near the dam. If you are fishing in late May or June, use a Type 3 or Type 5 Sinking Line to get your flies down to the 15-foot mark where the trout are seeking thermal refuge.
- Stealth is Key: Because the water is so clear, long leaders (9–12 feet) and fluorocarbon tippet (5X or 6X) are essential for trout. For bass, you can get away with 2X or 3X.
- Rent a Boat: While there is bank access, the best spots are only reachable by water. The park rents rowboats and canoes. A kayak is the ultimate fly fishing platform for this lake.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Herrington Manor State Park (222 Herrington Manor Rd, Oakland, MD). There is a small day-use fee to enter the park.
- Regulations:
- A Maryland Non-Tidal Fishing License is required for everyone 16 and older.
- A Trout Stamp is mandatory if you are targeting or possessing trout.
- Check current Maryland DNR "Summary of Regulations" as creel limits for trout can change seasonally.
- Boating: Electric motors only. Gas motors are strictly prohibited.
- Wading: Wading is permitted, but be careful of soft "muck" bottoms in the finger portions of the lake.
Guide’s Final Word: Herrington Lake is one of the most aesthetic stillwater fly fishing spots in the Mid-Atlantic. Whether you're chasing the "Stockie" rainbows in April or hunting "Bucketmouth" bass in the August twilight, it rewards the patient and observant angler. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | February, March, April | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Palomino Midge #20-22 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | March, April, October, November | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #20-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Morning/Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Holy Grail #14-16 |
| Sulfurs Ephemerella invaria/dorothea | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Sulfur Parachute #16-18, Sulfur Emerger #14-18, Split Case Sulfur #16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma spp. | terrestrial | June, July, August | Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #12-14, Adult Damsel #10-12 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron canadense | mayfly | June, July | Evening/Dusk | #12-14 | Light Cahill Dry #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Terrestrials (Ants & Beetles) Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #12-18 | Black Foam Beetle #14-16, Cinnamon Ant #16-18, Chernobyl Ant #10-12 |
| Tricos Tricorythodes spp. | mayfly | August, September | Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #22-24, Trico Sunken Spinner #22-24 |