Lake Macbride State Park, west of Solon, has been recognized among the 2016 Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the U.S., according to Take Me Fishing™, whose Top 100 list was released recently.
“I’m not surprised by this recognition,” said Nick Rocca, Lake Macbride State Park ranger. Rocca has talked to many park users and campers that come from near and far to fish Macbride. “They always have good things to say about coming to Macbride to fish.”
Lake Macbride is an angler’s delight with walleye, channel catfish, crappies, largemouth bass, muskies and the prized Kentucky spotted bass. “It’s the best walleye lake in the area,” says fisheries biologist Paul Sleeper. “Most anglers are running spinners with crawler rigs or trolling #5 and #7 Shad Raps.
“Hybrid striped bass (wiper) fishing is starting to become a favorite summer time activity at Lake Macbride,” said Sleeper.
Access to the water is good for both shoreline and boat fishing with numerous fishing jetties and a handicapped accessible wood fishing pier connected to a parking lot by a concrete sidewalk. Convenient fish cleaning stations dot each side of the lake. A concession stand and beach offer fun after fishing. Pontoons, motorboats, canoes, paddle boats, and kayaks are available for rent near the beach.
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ campaign initiated the nationwide vote to provide families and outdoor enthusiasts with a recommended list of the best family-friendly places to experience the joys of boating and fishing as the weather warms up around the country. More than 300 sites representing all 50 states were pre-selected from across the United States and entrants were able to vote daily for their favorite places.
Nearly 35,000 anglers and boaters cast almost 650,000 votes to support their favorite fishing and boating locations. Criteria for the top places to fish and boat included having a public body of water within driving distances of a major city with good fishing opportunities and family-friendly amenities.
“The best way to enjoy fishing and boating is to find a special place to fish with family and friends,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau. “Reconnect with family and friends this summer at Lake Macbride.”
For more information about Iowa’s state parks and fishing opportunities visit www.iowadnr.gov.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and https://www.takemefishing.org/es/, (Vamos a Pescar), feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.