Fishing Youghiogheny River Lake

AKA: Yough Lake

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Youghiogheny River Lake Fishing Video
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Youghiogheny River Lake, MD

Popular Fish Species Youghiogheny River Lake, MD

Youghiogheny River Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Youghiogheny River Lake, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in fewer numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Youghiogheny River Lake Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Youghiogheny River Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Youghiogheny River Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Youghiogheny River Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Youghiogheny River Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel, muskie and northern pike at Youghiogheny River Lake in Maryland.

At over 16 miles long, Youghiogheny River Lake is a 2,800-acre lake on the PA-MD border, just a couple miles north of Friendsville, MD. Only one third of the lake is in MD, and many of the services on the lake are found in PA.

Overall there are 38 miles of shoreline to explore in search of bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, trout, sunfish, perch, hybrid stripers, pike and muskie. Lake levels here may fluctuate drastically for flood-control purposes. At high water levels, boat launches (in both states) and a marina (in PA) serve the lake. There are several access points in Maryland for fishing from the bank, with Mill Run Recreation Area being the easiest. Kayaks and canoes are a great way to traverse this fishery.

Primary fish species residing in Youghiogheny River Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Youghiogheny River Lake Amenities

Marina: YES (in PA)
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: (in PA)
RV Hookups: (in PA)
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Collier Hollow Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Mill Run Road, this is an earthen ramp with gravel parking.