Gilead Lake fishing

Fishing at Gilead Lake has Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch, and 3 more on the stocking report. It is stocked about once a year since 1979, most often in March and April. 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

Plants on record

27

Since 1979

Species recorded

1

Surface acres

138.1

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.

Sources: access , access , shore_notes , access.fee , nearest_town

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Gilead Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of April. In 2005 it was April 18, 2005, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 1986 and 1987.

About 1,133 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 6 lakes in Branch County with both a fish count and a surface area.

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.

Fish at Gilead Lake

Fishing Gilead Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. All 27 plants on record are Rainbow Trout.

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 27 plants
Plants
27 of 27
Last stocked
April 18, 2005

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,3001979
  • 3,3001980
  • 3,3001981
  • 5,0001982
  • 6,5001983
  • 6,3001984
  • 6,5001985
  • 6,5001988
  • 6,5001989
  • 6,5001990
  • 6,1751991
  • 6,4981992
  • 6,4981993
  • 6,9881994
  • 6,9961995
  • 7,0001996
  • 6,9981997
  • 6,9501998
  • 6,6801999
  • 7,0002000
  • 7,0002001
  • 7,0002002
  • 6,9642003
  • 7,0002004
  • 6,9952005

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 27 plants Showing 27 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
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
Show 12 more plants Show less

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Bluegill : Dominated a 1991 MDNR trap-net survey (91% of catch by number); not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Bullhead : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Redear sunfish : Stocked in 1986 and 1991 by MDNR and confirmed reproducing naturally in the 1991 survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Black crappie : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Largemouth bass : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Pumpkinseed : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Green sunfish : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)
  • Yellow perch : Listed among species captured in the 1991 MDNR trap-net survey; not in the state stocking data for this lake. (source)

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes