The 243-acre Lake Habeeb, known for having the "bluest water in the state”, is nested within Rocky Gap State Park located in Western Maryland’s Allegany County.  The park, which encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for visitors to enjoy, is surrounded by rugged mountains making Lake Habeeb a truly beautiful place to fly fish.  

With generally excellent water clarity, a fly fisher can target largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, stocked rainbow and brown trout, and several species of sunfish. Lake Habeeb also has unique artificial reefs submerged throughout to provide unique fishing environments to any angler. 

With two boat launch ramps, and more than nine miles of trail along the lake's shoreline, there is ample access to fishing spots. The campground associated with Rocky Gap State Park offers rentals of canoes and kayaks and has 278 individual campsites including 15 mini-cabins and yurts, everything needed for a weekend or a week-long vacation. 

Fees and Accessibility

There is a fee for accessing Rocky Gap State Park. Handicap accessible parking, restrooms and a small fishing pier are available next to the concrete boat launch ramp.

Site Location

Lake Habeeb is located within Rocky Gap State Park in Western Maryland’s Allegany County right off Interstate 68. Heading west on Interstate-68 past Hancock, Maryland, take Exit 50 towards Pleasant Valley Road. At the stop sign, turn right on Lake Shore Drive which takes you to Rocky Gap State Park

Address

12900 Lake Shore Drive, Flintstone, MD 21530

Parking & Launching

Parking is located adjacent to the lake on a paved lot.  Use the Rocky Gap State Park's concrete boat launch directly adjacent to the parking lot located on Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone, MD 21530. Non-motorized vessels--kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards--can be launched from the beach at the Day Use Area located at 12500 Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone, MD 21530. Only electric motors are permitted on the lake.

Boat Rentals

Rental boats, including canoes, kayaks and paddle boats are available at the Rocky Gap State Park boat rental facility located next to the beaches.

Where to Fish

You can fish the lake by walking around the entire shoreline on a shoreline trail.  You can also launch your boat or rent a boat and fly fish from the water.

What to Catch

Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, sunfish, brown trout and rainbow trout

What to Fish & How

Recommend bringing 5-7 weight fly rods with floating, intermediate and sinking fly lines.  Bass bugs, poppers with hackle and/or rubber legs, attractor patterns for bass, crappie and sunfish and fly patterns such as the Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman and trudes are all effective for trout. Sub-surface patterns such as a wooly bugger and streamers when stripped also work.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.