Like its neighbor to the north, White Sulfur Pond, Orchard Pond was added to the stocking schedule in 1991 and is a small jewel at the southern end of the Green Ridge State Forest. Although there is only one bench adjacent to the parking area, it sits under several shade trees that make fishing on a hot day pleasant.
Unfortunately, most of this jewel is not polished due to the thick band of cattails growing thickly around most of the shoreline. On the eastern side, there are only a few spots where anglers can edge their way to the bank. A path runs around most of the pond, but it dead ends when the pond merges with a wetland at its northern extremity.
Most anglers fish from the southern end, where gaps in the vegetation exist. These spots are close to a fallen tree that creates both a landmark and a good structure. The pond water has a unique rust color and remains relatively clear after rainfall. There seems to be a reasonable amount of depth in the pond, and the bottom drops off quickly from the shoreline.
Getting There:
North: From I-68, take exit 68. Turn left onto Orleans Road NE. Follow it until it dead ends. Turn right on Oldtown Orleans Road SE. It will fork after passing Malcolm Road. Take the left fork (David Thomas Road) and follow it until it dead ends on MD 51/Oldtown Road SE and turn right. Turn right onto Gorman Road. Follow it until it dead ends and turn right on Dailey Road SE. The lake is approximately one mile north on the left side.
Tell a friend about this article by clicking on this link
South: From US 522 heading west from Winchester, turn left on VA 127/Bloomery Pike. Turn Right on WV 29. Continue onto WV 9W. It merges with MD 51 on the north side of Paw Paw. Continue west on MD 51. Turn right onto Gorman Road. Follow it until it dead ends and turn right on Dailey Road SE. The lake is approximately one mile north on the left side.
Access Point: Parking area off Dailey Road SE
Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location that is documented in the Maryland DNR stocking plan.
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore