Lake Needwood
Montgomery County, MD
Lake Needwood is a 75 acre impoundment on Rock Creek in eastern Montgomery County. The park and lake are managed by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC). Fishing is allowed from the shoreline and from permitted or rented boats with a valid Maryland fishing license. Montgomery County Parks operates a boat ramp for hand launching permitted boats and a boat rental facility at the lake.
Gamefish populations in Lake Needwood have been managed by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Freshwater Fisheries Service. Lake Needwood is a popular put-and-take trout fishery, receiving multiple trout stockings each spring. During the most recent survey in 2024, the population of largemouth bass was in excellent condition, with an above average number of large fish collected. While panfish were not quantified in the fall 2024 sampling, good numbers of bluegill and crappie were encountered. Fishing statistics summarized by gamefish species from recent Maryland DNR Freshwater Fisheries surveys can be found in the Impoundment Fishing Stats tool below.
DNR Freshwater Fisheries Central Region staff with a 5 lbs. largemouth bass collected during a 2024 mark-and-recapture survey on Lake Needwood.
Upper (left to right): Angler submitted photos of a panfish stringer, largemouth bass, and put-and-take trout. Lower: Photos from 2024 Central Region largemouth bass survey
Maryland DNR Freshwater Fisheries Impoundment Fishing Stats
Rock Creek Regional Park - Montgomery Parks
