Woodard Lake fishing

Fishing at Woodard Lake has Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Crappie, and 1 more on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2017, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass.

Last stocked

November 6, 2024

Plants on record

4

Since 2017

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

69.7

Access and facts

Nearest town
Belding
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A 73-acre lake in Ronald Township, about 9 miles east of Belding. A public boat launch on the southeastern shore has a paved ramp, pit toilet, and parking for 10 vehicles; administered by Ionia State Recreation Area, a Recreation Passport is required.

Sources: access , shore_notes , shore_notes , access.fee , facilities , nearest_town

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How Woodard Lake is stocked

No plants recorded in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.

About 12 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 3 lakes in Ionia County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Sessions Lake (10.3 mi), Crystal Lake (14.1 mi), and Dickerson Lake (15.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Sessions Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Crystal Lake is also stocked with Walleye, and Dickerson Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Woodard Lake

Fishing Woodard Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. All 4 plants on record are Walleye.

Walleye 4 plants
Plants
4 of 4
Last stocked
November 6, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2912017
  • 2902021
  • 2352024

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 6, 2024 Walleye 55 – report
October 23, 2024 Walleye 180 – report
October 11, 2021 Walleye 290 – report
October 6, 2017 Walleye 291 – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Bluegill : Most abundant species (260 of 662 fish) in a 2010 DNR fish-community survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Largemouth bass : 170 captured in a 2010 DNR fish-community survey, though growth is far below the state average; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Northern pike : Documented in a 2010 DNR fish-community survey (one 32-inch fish); not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Yellow perch : Documented in a 2010 DNR fish-community survey with above-average growth; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Black crappie : Documented in a 2010 DNR fish-community survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Channel catfish : A new species caught for the first time in the 2010 survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)

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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