Woodrail Lake Fishing near White Cloud, Michigan

• Overview

  The Newaygo County entry here is Woodrail Lake, in Michigan. This is lake country bush country. Small at around 11 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. 4.7 miles away sits White Cloud, the nearest town. Further out sit Fremont (7 miles) and Newaygo (9.8 miles). The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Woodrail Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Newaygo County: largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and johnny darter. The county list is broader than any single water. Woodrail Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 69°F at the top of summer and 21°F at the bottom of winter. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Woodrail Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Peterson Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Woodrail Lake.