Piney Reservoir

Owner - City of Frostburg, Frostburg, Maryland

History - Piney Reservoir serves as the domestic water supply for the town of Frostburg, Maryland. The reservoir was reconstructed in 1990 to increase water storage capacity. The impoundment is primarily a warmwater fishery although stocked rainbow trout provide a popular spring and fall fishery. The warmwater gamefish and panfish species found in Piney Reservoir are managed under Maryland's statewide regulations and the trout fishery is managed as a Put and Take Trout Fishing Area. Please consult the Maryland Freshwater Sportfishing Guide for details.

Physical/ Habitat Description - Piney Reservoir's surface area is 120 acres with a maximum depth of 35 feet. The upper shallow end of the lake has heavy growth of aquatic vegetation during the summer months providing shelter for many of the lake's panfish. Near the lower portion, flooded standing timber provides some excellent largemouth bass habitat. Brush piles created by beavers along the shoreline offer excellent areas to fish for white crappies. The rocky dam breast area is where the occasional walleye can be captured.

Fish Species - Piney Reservoir has a diverse warmwater fishery. Largemouth bass are the most popular gamefish in the lake, with many quality-size fish in the population. The lake also supports a diverse panfish fishery including bluegills, pumpkinseeds, white crappies, rock bass, yellow perch, and brown bullheads. Most of these panfish are very abundant, and angler harvest is encouraged. One of our management tools we use to improve the predator/prey balance in Piney Reservoir is to stock tiger muskie fingerlings. These fish feed on the abundant panfish, which in turn improves panfish growth rates. This leads to a more desirable panfish population for the angler, and provides a unique tiger muskie fishery. Angler reports indicate that the tiger muskie fishery is becoming very popular, with many anglers targeting these big fish exclusively. Piney Reservoir is also a favorite spot for ice fishermen. Yellow perch are the most commonly caught fish through the ice; these fish can provide some non-stop action! About 6,000 adult rainbow trout are stocked each spring with and additional 1,000 rainbows are stocked in the fall to provide a two-season put and take trout fishery.

Restrictions - See the current Maryland Freshwater Sportfishing Guide for complete fishing regulations. No boats are allowed on Piney Reservoir. Public access is allowed along its entire shoreline.

Directions - From I-68 take the Finzel Exit - Route 546 N and take the immediate left, proceed .25 miles to stop sign at Route 40. Drive straight across Route 40 onto Piney Run Road; continue about 2.5 miles to reservoir. Turn left onto the access road along the lake and park in designated areas.

Contact - Comments and questions regarding fishing in Piney Reservoir can be directed to:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Service
1728 King's Run Road
Oakland, MD 21550
301- 334 - 8218