Loda Lake in Newaygo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Newaygo County, Michigan, this is Loda Lake. The ground around here is lake country bush. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. The closest town, White Cloud, is 6.8 miles distant. Further out sit Fremont (13 miles) and Newaygo (15 miles). Nearest other option: Loon Lake 1.3 miles away, Indian Lake at 2.1 miles, Diamond Lake 2.5 miles away, Moon Lake at 3 miles and Minnie Lake 3.4 miles away. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Loda Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Newaygo County: largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, johnny darter and white sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Loda Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. At Loda Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary Parking gives parking half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Loon Lake, 1.3 miles out. Signs at Loda Lake carry more weight than any list.