Coldwater Lake fishing

Coldwater Lake fishing: not stocked since May 16, 2012. It was stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Redear Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and 7 more. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch.

Coldwater Lake
Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, Public domain
Last stocked
May 16, 2012
· Walleye
Plants on record
11
Since 1980
Species stocked
2 (+13 also recorded)
Surface acres
1,580.2

Fish at Coldwater Lake

2 stocked · 13 confirmed present

Around the dates Coldwater Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 69.6°F in June, 71°F in August, 53.5°F in October, 47°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Walleye Stocked · 4 plants · last May 16, 2012 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked May 16, 2012 · 4 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide

How Coldwater Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 119 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1980

3,200

Fish stocked in 1982

6,100

Fish stocked in 1984

4,480

Fish stocked in 1986

3,228

Fish stocked in 1989

6,400

Fish stocked in 1991

6,400

Fish stocked in 2011

80,370

Fish stocked in 2012

77,638

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 16, 2012Walleye77,638–report
June 7, 2011Walleye20,855–report
June 2, 2011Walleye27,124–report
June 1, 2011Walleye32,391–report
October 9, 1991Tiger Muskie6,400–report
September 20, 1989Tiger Muskie6,400–report
October 13, 1986Tiger Muskie3,200–report
April 9, 1986Tiger Muskie28–report
August 27, 1984Tiger Muskie4,480–report
August 4, 1982Tiger Muskie6,100–report
August 13, 1980Tiger Muskie3,200–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Coldwater
Facilities
restrooms, dock

The DNR access site on the west side, near the Coldwater River outlet, has a two-lane concrete ramp, a pier, a vault toilet and parking for over 50 trailers. Coldwater Lake State Park fronts the south shore, but the lake sits at the back of the park and is hard to reach from it.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

About Coldwater Lake

The lake has multiple sandbar and shallow areas. Despite being 92 feet at its deepest, the lake itself is a fairly shallow lake. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Photo of Coldwater Lake
Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Lake Lavine 4.8 mi last stocked April 2, 2019 Cary Lake 8.7 mi last stocked April 1, 2026 Gilead Lake 9.8 mi last stocked April 18, 2005 Hemlock Lake 10.9 mi last stocked April 7, 2004 Matteson Lake 14.1 mi last stocked October 28, 2025

Public land at Coldwater Lake

Coldwater Lake is 0.8 miles outside the edge of Coldwater Lake State Park.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at Coldwater Lake?

Fishing Coldwater Lake usually means Tiger Muskie: Tiger Muskie accounts for 7 of 11 plants on record, ahead of Walleye. Tiger Muskie was last stocked October 9, 1991. Walleye was last stocked May 16, 2012. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Redear Sunfish, and Hybrid Sunfish, plus 9 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Coldwater Lake stocked?

Not stocked since May 16, 2012. About 119 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 25 years between 1980 and 2012.

How do you get on Coldwater Lake?

The nearest town is Coldwater. Facilities include restrooms and dock. The DNR access site on the west side, near the Coldwater River outlet, has a two-lane concrete ramp, a pier, a vault toilet and parking for over 50 trailers. Coldwater Lake State Park fronts the south shore, but the lake sits at the back of the park and is hard to reach from it.

Which lakes near Coldwater Lake were stocked more recently?

Lake Lavine (4.8 mi), Cary Lake (8.7 mi), and Matteson Lake (14.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Matteson Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Sources (5) +