The Wanderlust tied to the courtesy dock at the public launch ramp during her first sea trial a week after we bought her. Since Atwood is the closest lake to our house, we still bring her here to test new gear.

Fishing and sailing are the main activities on the lake. Pike, catfish, bass, and perch are all found in abundance here. The 25-horsepower limit makes skiing a bit of a challenge, but tubing and rafting are popular activities for the kids.

There are two designated boat swimming areas at either end of the dogleg. The east area is offshore of a little park that can be accessed from a public courtesy dock, featuring picnic benches and a tiny but proper little swimming beach. The west swim area is more wild, with two small islands and a little stretch of mud on the mainland that you can run a beachable boat up onto. This is also the designated boat camping area, where you are welcome to anchor or beach overnight.

As mentioned above, a sailor wanting to test his skills may want to try to traverse the lake from east to west. The dogleg and variable winds make it more of a challenge than you'd think. Atwood hosts an active racing community and numbered buoys are in place in the western lake during the season.