Deep Creek Lake is 13 miles long with 69 miles of shoreline. Maximum depth is about 75' near the dam breast area with an average depth of about 25'. It's supports a variety of fish habitat from steep rocky shorelines near the dam breast to silt bottomed shallow coves in the southern end. Deeper areas of the lake maintain cold water for trout year-round. Submerged stumps and the many floating docks along the shoreline provide excellent cover for both largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as sunfish species.

Deep Creek Lake supports a wide variety of desirable gamefish species. It may be best known for it's bass fishery. Although smallmouth bass are the most common species, largemouth bass generally anchor the catches of winning anglers during the frequent bass fishing tournaments. The quality of the bass fishery and the fact that gas powered boats are permitted on Deep Creek Lake makes it a popular site for bass fishing tournaments.

Walleye are also common but always require dedication on the angler's part to locate and catch. A close relative to the walleye, the yellow perch, is also abundant in Deep Creek Lake and attracts a lot of attention from fishermen, particularly through the ice in winter. Although northern pike are not common, they create a specialized trophy fishery for those anglers who target the species. Chain pickerel are common and aggressive and often provide action under weather conditions when other species are inactive. Deep Creek Lake supports a true trophy fishery for bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish. Many citation sunfish are caught each season in the 9 to 11" size range. The current Maryland bluegill record of 3 lbs 7 oz was caught in Deep Creek Lake as well as the current northern pike record of 24 lbs 12 oz. The long time Maryland record yellow perch of 2 lbs 6 oz was also caught in Deep Creek Lake. Previous Maryland record fish from Deep Creek Lake have included walleye and brown trout.