The Liberty Reservoir, located near Baltimore, Maryland is one Maryland’s largest man-made impoundments. The 3,100 acre reservoir is a popular destination for freshwater fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, and other outdoor recreation. Average depths in the impoundment are around 60 feet, with some areas reaching 140 feet or more.
Liberty Reservoir Watershed
The Liberty Reservoir is fed by a network of rivers, creeks and small streams. Its sources of water include the East, West and North branches of the Patapsco as well as Beaver Run, Keyer’s Run, Prugh Run, Morgan Run, Middle Run, Locust Run, Cooks Branch, and numerous smaller streams.
A variety of parks, access points and other public lands are available to the public. Baltimore City owns over 6,000 acres within the Liberty Reservoir watershed. Public lands provide a buffer zone for the reservoir while supporting activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation.
Carroll County maintains 10 community parks in the watershed. Baltimore County maintains a 26 acre park. Maryland DNR manages Morgan Run Natural Environment Area in Carroll County and part of Soldiers Delight Area in Baltimore County.
Liberty Reservoir Fish Species
Liberty Reservoir contains largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, white perch, striped bass, and common carp. Several of the impoundment’s feeder streams are inhabited by rainbow trout, brown trout and other species.
The Maryland Department of the Environment periodically tests fish taken from the reservoir. When potentially unhealthy levels of contaminates are found in fish, the agency responds by issuing fish consumption advisories.