January and February usually are the best months for ice fishing at Deep Creek Lake State Park (dnr.state.md.us), a time when temperatures typically are coldest and yellow perch and walleye are abundant. Additional cold-weather targets include northern pike, bluegill, pickerel, trout, bass, crappie and sunfish. A small, portable shelter called an ice shanty can help protect you from the elements, though many anglers simply bring a chair or bucket on which to sit. Other recommended equipment includes a skimmer, which scoops slush and ice chips from the fishing hole, and "tip-ups," which tip a small flag when a fish bites your line. Try keeping your line near the lake bottom, where the water is warmest in winter and fish are more active.
Two safety rules stand out when ice fishing: Always wear a life vest under your clothes and make certain the ice is at least 4 inches thick before venturing out. Ice generally is the thickest and hardest where it has a clear or blue color. Areas that are gray, dark, crisp or slushy can be thin and dangerous. If in doubt, test the thickness of the ice with an ice chisel or auger before walking on it. Wear waterproof boots that are well-insulated and dress in plenty of layers. Before your trip, familiarize yourself with Deep Creek Lake's "Ice Dangers and Safety" guide, which is available on the park's website and tells you what to do in an emergency.
Other winter sports popular at Deep Creek Lake State Park include snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing. In warmer weather, the park is open to boating, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and other water sports. The park also is home to a boat launch area, fishing pier, picnic shelters, hiking trails and an educational/interpretive Discovery Center. For overnight guests, the park has 112 campsites, two small cabins, a yurt and a three-sided "Bear Den" shelter available from mid-April to mid-December. The park charges a day-use fee and a separate boat launch fee.
During your ice-fishing trip to Deep Creek Lake State Park, you may want to visit several other regional attractions, all within 10 miles of the park. Deep Creek Funland (deepcreekfunland.com) in McHenry is home to miniature golf, go-karts, bumper cars, a carousel, climbing wall and snack bar. To learn more about the region's history, tour the Garrett County Historical Museum and Garrett County Museum of Transportation (garrettcountymuseums.com) in Oakland. Another state park, Swallow Falls (dnr.state.md.us), set along the Youghiogheny River less than 10 miles west of Deep Creek Lake State Park, has hiking trails that take you past several waterfalls, including 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's tallest. If you'd like to stay overnight, Garrett County is home to a variety of lodging options, including inns, hotels and rental cabins.
