Rainbow Trout Stocked · 27 plants · last April 18, 2005 Best: dawn, dusk Gilead Lake fishing
Gilead Lake fishing: not stocked since April 18, 2005. It was stocked with Rainbow Trout. Also recorded: Bluegill, Bullhead, Redear sunfish, Black crappie, Largemouth bass, Pumpkinseed, and 2 more. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and Yellow perch, and day for Redear sunfish.
- Last stocked
- April 18, 2005
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 27
- Since 1979
- Species stocked
- 1 (+8 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 138.1
Fish at Gilead Lake
Around the dates Gilead Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 47.5°F in April, 38.6°F in March, 70°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 27 plants · last April 18, 2005 Best: dawn, dusk 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide Bullhead Confirmed present
Redear sunfish Confirmed present Best: day Best: day
Redear sunfish species guide
Black crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black crappie species guide
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth bass species guide Pumpkinseed Confirmed present
Green sunfish Confirmed present
Yellow perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow perch species guideHow Gilead Lake is stocked
About 1,133 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 5 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1979
3,300
Fish stocked in 1980
3,300
Fish stocked in 1981
3,300
Fish stocked in 1982
5,000
Fish stocked in 1983
6,500
Fish stocked in 1984
6,300
Fish stocked in 1985
6,500
Fish stocked in 1988
6,500
Fish stocked in 1989
6,500
Fish stocked in 1990
6,500
Fish stocked in 1991
6,175
Fish stocked in 1992
6,498
Fish stocked in 1993
6,498
Fish stocked in 1994
6,988
Fish stocked in 1995
6,996
Fish stocked in 1996
7,000
Fish stocked in 1997
6,998
Fish stocked in 1998
6,950
Fish stocked in 1999
6,680
Fish stocked in 2000
7,000
Fish stocked in 2001
7,000
Fish stocked in 2002
7,000
Fish stocked in 2003
6,964
Fish stocked in 2004
7,000
Fish stocked in 2005
6,995
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 6,995 | – | report |
| April 7, 2004 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| April 9, 2003 | Rainbow Trout | 6,964 | – | report |
| April 3, 2002 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| April 3, 2001 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| March 28, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| April 5, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 6,680 | – | report |
| March 25, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 6,950 | – | report |
| March 19, 1997 | Rainbow Trout | 6,998 | – | report |
| April 8, 1996 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | – | report |
| April 12, 1995 | Rainbow Trout | 6,996 | – | report |
| April 11, 1994 | Rainbow Trout | 6,988 | – | report |
| April 29, 1993 | Rainbow Trout | 6,498 | – | report |
| April 8, 1992 | Rainbow Trout | 6,498 | – | report |
| April 29, 1991 | Rainbow Trout | 6,175 | – | report |
| March 22, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 4,875 | – | report |
| March 22, 1990 | Rainbow Trout | 1,625 | – | report |
| March 22, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 4,875 | – | report |
| March 22, 1989 | Rainbow Trout | 1,625 | – | report |
| April 21, 1988 | Rainbow Trout | 6,500 | – | report |
| June 12, 1985 | Rainbow Trout | 6,500 | – | report |
| April 16, 1984 | Rainbow Trout | 6,300 | – | report |
| April 5, 1983 | Rainbow Trout | 6,500 | – | report |
| April 13, 1982 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | – | report |
| March 31, 1981 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | – | report |
| April 29, 1980 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | – | report |
| April 19, 1979 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Bronson, MI
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Fee required
- Yes
DNR-owned access site and park on the lake's south basin, leased and maintained by Branch County. About 6 miles south of Bronson. No facility detail (toilets, parking count) published.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Gilead Lake?
Fishing Gilead Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 27 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 18, 2005. Bluegill, Bullhead, Redear sunfish, and Black crappie, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Gilead Lake stocked?
Not stocked since April 18, 2005. About 1,133 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 5 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 1986 and 1987.
How do you get on Gilead Lake?
There is a boat ramp and a fee is required. The nearest town is Bronson, MI. DNR-owned access site and park on the lake's south basin, leased and maintained by Branch County. About 6 miles south of Bronson. No facility detail (toilets, parking count) published.
Which lakes near Gilead Lake were stocked more recently?
Lake Lavine (6.8 mi), Cary Lake (7.9 mi), Matteson Lake (9.7 mi), Coldwater Lake (9.8 mi), and Union Lake (17.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Lavine is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cary Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Matteson Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.