Trout fishing at Willow Lake should still be good. Trolling deeper in 15-30 feet of water will be the most productive for boat-based anglers. Plenty of legal and pounder trout were stocked earlier in the spring and summer, and holdover trout should also be available. Fly-fishers will do best on chironomids or balanced leeches. Gear anglers should have an assortment of the standard PowerBait, threaded nightcrawlers under a bobber, or small spinners and spoons.

Campgrounds at Willow Lake are open, as is the improved boat ramp. For more information please visit the Jackson County Parks website. Willow Lake is at 82 percent capacity. It does get busy on the weekends.

In addition to the trout, there are large numbers of illegally introduced yellow perch up here and anglers are always encouraged to take as many of these as they want. This illegal introduction has only resulted in stunted perch and impacts to the bass and trout fishery in this lake and numerous others around the Southwest District. Anglers are reminded that using live fish as bait is prohibited. If you see someone transporting live fish from or into a water body, please get a photo and/or call OSP with this information.