Lake Macbride is the largest state-park lake in Iowa – a 940-acre lake just north of Iowa City, the centerpiece of Iowa’s most popular state park. With quiet no-wake water, a swimming beach, boat rentals and miles of trails, plus a connection to neighboring Coralville Lake, it’s a beloved family-and-fishing destination in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa.
This guide covers Lake Macbride: the state park, the fishing, the recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Lake Macbride at a glance
- Surface area: ~940 acres – the largest state-park lake in Iowa
- Location: Johnson County, eastern Iowa (near Solon, north of Iowa City)
- State park: Lake Macbride State Park – Iowa’s most-visited state park
- Top fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, muskie, walleye
Lake Macbride State Park
Lake Macbride State Park is the most popular state park in Iowa, and for good reason: a swimming beach, a campground, cabins, boat rentals, picnic areas and miles of hiking and biking trails wrap the wooded shoreline. The lake is mostly no-wake / limited-horsepower, which keeps it calm and family-friendly – perfect for paddling, fishing and relaxed pontoon cruising. The nearby Macbride Raptor Project and nature area add wildlife programs.
Fishing Lake Macbride
The quiet lake is a pleasant warmwater fishery: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish, with muskie and walleye also present. An Iowa fishing license is required. The timbered coves and quiet bays suit bank anglers, kayakers and small boats, and the lack of heavy boat traffic makes for relaxed fishing.
Connected to Coralville Lake
Lake Macbride sits right beside Coralville Lake, and the two are connected – giving the area a pair of complementary lakes: calm, scenic Macbride for paddling and family fishing, and bigger Coralville for open-water boating. Together they make eastern Iowa’s best lake-recreation cluster, minutes from Iowa City.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Macbride is near Solon, just north of Iowa City and Coralville in eastern Iowa, off IA-382. The University of Iowa, the Amana Colonies and Cedar Rapids are all close by.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- No-wake lake: mostly limited-horsepower water – ideal for paddling and small boats.
- Popular park: Iowa’s most-visited state park – arrive early on summer weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Lake Macbride?
About 940 acres – the largest state-park lake in Iowa – in Iowa’s most popular state park.
What fish are in Lake Macbride?
Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, muskie and walleye.
Where is Lake Macbride?
Near Solon in Johnson County, eastern Iowa, just north of Iowa City and connected to Coralville Lake.
Related: explore the small lakes of Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
