Lake of the Woods near Baldwin: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Lake of the Woods lies in Newaygo County, in Michigan. The surface lies 823 feet up. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. 12 miles away sits Baldwin, the nearest town. For a city, Grand Rapids is 54 miles off. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge. It sits far enough from the road to feel away from things.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Woods

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Newaygo County names largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and johnny darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read Lake of the Woods before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 20°F to 69°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. Ice usually gives way near early April, and forms again about mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake of the Woods.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is a slipway on the shore, half a mile from the water we list. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Nichols Lake, 0.4 miles out. Confirm access to Lake of the Woods locally before you travel.