Goodfellow Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Goodfellow Lake lies in Genesee County, in Michigan. Elevation runs to 902 feet. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Genesee County list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest place of any size is Fenton, 2.4 miles away. Linden follows at 4.3 miles, then Holly at 5.4 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Goodfellow Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Genesee County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and black crappie. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Goodfellow Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 70°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at mid December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. At Goodfellow Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Lake Urban is 0.3 miles distant. Confirm access to Goodfellow Lake locally before you travel.