Approximate Boundary: 39.300553,-77.340707 to 39.297896,-77.340835
In 2004, Urbana Lake (also known as Chevy Chase Lake) was declared a potential excess property the State could sell. It’s now 2011, and the property remains under DNR control. Therefore, I do not think this interesting fishing lake will soon be abandoned. The 2.8-acre lake sits at the southeast edge of the 60-acre Urbana Lake Fish Management Area. What makes it interesting is that it provides a remote feel even though it is within 500 feet of the buzzing traffic on I-270.
After bouncing down the pine straw-covered road to the parking area near a public building at the edge of the dense forest that surrounds the lake, walk north onto the broad trail that leads down the slight grade to the lake’s edge. It is a short walk (0.2 miles) with a total elevation drop of 59 feet. The forest is thick in all directions and throws plenty of cooling, protective shade over the trail.
Once on the shoreline, you can follow a small trail around the lake. But fishing from the shore can be problematic given the dense forest that grows to the water’s edge. There is a substantial mat of underwater vegetation that crowds the shoreline on the eastern corner near the dam and at the southern tip. On the northern end, the water is slightly deeper along the dam line. However, casting can be obstructed by the cattails that pack the shoreline along the dam’s edge.
Getting There:
North: From I-270, take exit 26 onto MD 80 toward Urbana. Stay on MD 80 W at the traffic circle (Fingerboard Road). Turn left onto Thurston Road. turn left onto Dixon Road. Look for the dirt road that leads to the lake where Dixon Road joins a golf course to the east. You should be able to see the wooden sign announcing the lake. If you continue on Dixon Road, it will dead end on Dr. Perry Road. If this occurs, make a U-turn and drive carefully along the golf course to discover the dirt road. Once on the dirt road, follow it to the end.
South: From I-270, take exit 22/MD 109 S/Old Hundred Road. Turn right on Slate Quarry Road. Turn right on Thurston Road. Turn right onto Dr. Perry Road. Turn left onto Dixon Road. 0.5 miles after turning left on Dixon Road, take the slight right onto a dirt road. The sign for the lake is facing away from your direction of travel. Follow the dirt road to the end.
After parking, follow the wide trail to the lake from the northeast corner of the lot.
Access Point: 39.298262,-77.343003
Urbana Lake Trout Fishing Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location that is documented in the Maryland DNR stocking plan.
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View south from the dam
Close up of southern weedbeds
Trail to lake
Output stream from dam – I did not investigate for fishability
Eastern shoreline
Dam
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore