Goodrich Lake Fishing in Branch County, Michigan

• Overview

  Goodrich Lake sits within Branch County in Michigan. The water sits 833 feet up. The water covers some 92 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Colon lies 3.3 miles from the water. For a city, South Bend is 54 miles off. Others close at hand: Havens Lake 0.2 miles away, River Lake a touch under 0.5 miles, Big Wells Lake 0.6 miles away, Dane Lake a touch under 0.7 miles and Little Wells Lake 0.7 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Goodrich Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Branch County names bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and warmouth. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Goodrich Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 72°F on average, January about 22°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Once it clears, about late March, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages suggest open water from about late March through to roughly mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Goodrich Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. 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. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Havens Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Goodrich Lake before loading the car.