Fishing Hoffman Pond in Saint Joseph County, Michigan

• Overview

  Hoffman Pond belongs to Saint Joseph County, Michigan. It stands 791 feet above sea level. Roughly 55 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The whole outline is near 1.1 miles, and most of it is walkable. For a base, Three Rivers sits 1.1 miles out. The nearest city of size is South Bend, 37 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hoffman Pond

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Reported across Saint Joseph County: bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Hoffman Pond gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 23°F in January and 72°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. The lid tends to go about late March and return around mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan around that when you fish Hoffman Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Hidden Marsh Sanctuary covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Noah Lake, 2.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Hoffman Pond before loading the car.