Coldwater Lake in Michigan

[gjonz]

Anyone ever boat at Coldwater Lake in Michigan? Is it a nice place to run and cruise, or just a fishing hole.

Thanks!

Greg

[tmfd]

Been thinking of trying it out myself, but I'm more about the fishing aspect. Here is a little info:

COLDWATER LAKE
Branch County's 1,610-acre Coldwater Lake is one of a series of lakes that includes Marble, East Long, Archer and Middle. All are topnotch largemouth bass lakes.



"Coldwater Lake is one lake that I'd have to rate as one of the better largemouth lakes in southern Michigan," said Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries biologist Jay Wesley. "Coldwater has excellent largemouth habitat. The lake sees a fair amount of fishing pressure, especially from out-of-state anglers, but there are still some nice bass in it."



Most of the bass coming from the Coldwater Chain will measure 14 inches up to about 18 inches, but there are bigger fish caught every year up to 6 pounds.



With the variety of habitat that the Coldwater Chain offers, largemouth aficionados can pitch, flip and twitch to their heart's content, but they'd better do it early and late in the day. The entire chain sees intense boat traffic, and anglers will have the best success when traffic is at a minimum. Dark, rainy days are perfect. Other days, try to work the back of bays and coves that boats tend to avoid. Another option during the peak summer season is to work the deeper water or fish after dark.



For more information on Gun, Coldwater and other southwest Michigan bass lakes, contact the Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit of the DNR at (616) 685-6851. To find out about motels, bait shops and attractions near Coldwater Lake, contact the Coldwater-Branch County Chamber of Commerce at (517) 278-5985 or on the Web at www.discover-mi.com.