Coldwater Lake Fishing Guide, Branch County, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Coldwater Lake, in Branch County. The bank gives way to pine and birch. At some 2.5 sq miles it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The perimeter runs near 12 miles, so plan the walk before you start. Of the waters listed here in Branch County, this is the largest. The town to know is Fremont, 6.6 miles out. Fort Wayne sits 48 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Coldwater Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and warmouth. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The near bank of Coldwater Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late March. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about mid December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Plan any trip to Coldwater Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A ramp is mapped within half a mile. Moorings are at Coldwater Lake Marina, roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Little Coldwater Lake sits 1.5 miles off and takes the overflow. For Coldwater Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.