Nichols Lake fishing

Fishing at Nichols Lake has Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.

Last stocked

June 4, 2025

Plants on record

7

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

154.2

Access and facts

Nearest town
Baldwin, MI
Shore access
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Nichols Lake (Huron-Manistee National Forest, Newaygo County) has day-use sites on both shores: the North Recreation Area (vault toilet, $5-15 vehicle fee) and the South Campground, which has an accessible fishing pier and flush/vault toilets. Camping is $30/night; day use $10/vehicle.

Sources: access.shore , access.ada , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , fishing_notes

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How Nichols Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2025 it was June 4, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 8 years between 2011 and 2025.

About 374 reported fish per acre, 5th most of 9 lakes in Newaygo County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Condon Lake (2.2 mi), Big Star Lake (7.7 mi), and Fremont Lake (19.3 mi) were stocked more recently. Big Star Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Fremont Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Nichols Lake

Fishing Nichols Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 7 plants on record are Walleye.

Walleye 7 plants
Plants
7 of 7
Last stocked
June 4, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Nichols Lake

Nichols Lake is popular for fishing. The campground offers fishing, and an accessible fishing pier is available. Additionally, a short path along the lake provides access for fishing. This site also hosts Kids Fishing Day Events for Michigan's Free Fishing Day in early June.

Sources: fs.usda.gov , fs.usda.gov

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,1342011
  • 9,9652013
  • 8,4102015
  • 8,8072017
  • 8,1272019
  • 7,2002022
  • 8,0392025

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 4, 2025 Walleye 8,039 – report
June 8, 2022 Walleye 7,200 – report
June 5, 2019 Walleye 8,127 – report
June 9, 2017 Walleye 8,807 – report
June 2, 2015 Walleye 8,410 – report
May 30, 2013 Walleye 9,965 – report
June 8, 2011 Walleye 7,134 – report

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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