Woodard Lake Fishing in Ionia County, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Woodard Lake, in Ionia County. The surroundings are rolling bush. At about 58 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. There is roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Start from Ionia, 6.5 miles down the road. Then Belding, 8.5 miles, and Greenville, 12 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Woodard Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Ionia County, recorded fish include rainbow darter, bluegill, largemouth bass, johnny darter and white sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Woodard Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 21°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. On Woodard Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The slipway at Woodard Lake Boat Launch is half a mile away. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Horseshoe Lake at 3.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Woodard Lake should be assumed from this page alone.