Lake MacBride

Review(s)

Your Name: Tim Sondag
Your Forum Name: mydogviolet
Your knowledge level of the area: Advanced
Put In: many
Take Out: many
Date of Paddle: Many Times
Overview of this area: This is an extremely great paddling lake. Lake McBride is an 812-acre artificial lake just north of North Liberty in eastern Iowa. Pontoons, motorboats, canoes and paddle boats are available for rent near the beach. The boat rental number is 319/624-2315. A 10 horsepower motor limit is in effect on Lake Macbride from May 21 through September 7. At other times there is an unrestricted horsepower motor limit operated at a no-wake speed. 
Is there camping available: Yes, both modern and non-modern camping right next to the lake.
Other launches in this section: There are seven boat ramps on the lake and one on Coralville Lake.
Places to rent or buy outdoor equipment: Near the beach on north side of the lake.
Other items of interest about this area: Lake Macbride is an angler's delight! Good catches of walleyes, channel catfish, crappies and bluegill can be found. Walleyes, channel catfish and muskies are stocked annually. Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. 
Overall opinion of this area: LOVE IT. I have camped in over half of the Iowa State Parks and this is one the best! Nice quiet clean lake which offers good lake paddling without the wake of fast motorboats. The completely drained the lake about 5 years ago to add rock to the entire shoreline. This greatly improved the water clarity, but the fishing just hasn't been the same yet.