Fish Stocking Program
It is the Coldwater Lake Association’s intent to bring together resources, knowledge and members to affect positive actions on and around Coldwater Lake. The handful of Trustees are limited in the work they can accomplish. To make a significant difference, we look to member volunteers to take active roles on committees to help develop and implement ideas and make use of governmental resources for the benefit of all.
If you are reading this, you may have an interest in assisting. Please reach out to any trustee and/or email us at info@coldwaterlakeassociation.com. We would look for volunteers to help with the stocking process and/or participate on a committee to help coordinate efforts between the connecting lakes. Unlike many of us, the fish do not see navigating the Warren Road Bridge as an issue and readily follow food sources up and down the chain through the channels.
Fish stocking at Coldwater Lake has a storied history. The below link to the DNR’s report on the status of the Fishery for Coldwater Lake provides an excellent summary of its history and where we stand. While the report is dated 2018, the last physical survey was completed in 2014. Not exactly current but, the best we have to work on.
The DNR has a lot on their plate and surveying all the Lakes in Michigan requires a large staff. Getting it done routinely is a challenge. It is our hope for them to repeat a survey in 2025. With plans to stock walleye each fall for three years, this would also provide us with direct feedback on the results of those efforts as it would coincide with the third year of stocking.
CLA has committed to stocking 1,500 walleye each fall for a three-year period. The walleye are 6-8 inches in length and are obtained from a fish farm in the Kalamazoo area that acquires their walleye from a farm in Minnesota. The fish are transported down via truck with separate tank compartments and then are transferred to the lake. The process of transferring them to the lake is done through CLA volunteers. Last year the event took place on the north side of Iyopawa Road where it was easy access from the tanker truck to the lake.
CLA thanks Jim Bentley for his efforts in bringing much of this information to light and for his time spent working with the DNR to acquire the permit to stock, organizing the purchase with the fish farm and coordinating the stocking process. Good job, Jim!
The ideal habitat for walleye is not well supported by lakes in the Branch County area. While Coldwater Lake is likely the best suited, it, too, has its challenges in providing walleye a habitat that enables them to prosper enough to sustain an ongoing fishery that includes walleye. In order to sustain the population, an ongoing and continuous stocking program is likely needed. It is through monitored efforts and surveys by the DNR that we measure the results. As these are infrequent, we also rely on the feedback from local anglers and fishing groups.
We hope you find the information here helpful and we will update this as time and developments allow. Ideally, we would engage local fishing clubs to help in providing additional information and feedback for these pages. If you or, someone you know is interested, please reach out to us.
If you are reading this, you may have an interest in assisting. Please reach out to any trustee and/or email us at info@coldwaterlakeassociation.com. We would look for volunteers to help with the stocking process and/or participate on a committee to help coordinate efforts between the connecting lakes. Unlike many of us, the fish do not see navigating the Warren Road Bridge as an issue and readily follow food sources up and down the chain through the channels.
Fish stocking at Coldwater Lake has a storied history. The below link to the DNR’s report on the status of the Fishery for Coldwater Lake provides an excellent summary of its history and where we stand. While the report is dated 2018, the last physical survey was completed in 2014. Not exactly current but, the best we have to work on.
The DNR has a lot on their plate and surveying all the Lakes in Michigan requires a large staff. Getting it done routinely is a challenge. It is our hope for them to repeat a survey in 2025. With plans to stock walleye each fall for three years, this would also provide us with direct feedback on the results of those efforts as it would coincide with the third year of stocking.
CLA has committed to stocking 1,500 walleye each fall for a three-year period. The walleye are 6-8 inches in length and are obtained from a fish farm in the Kalamazoo area that acquires their walleye from a farm in Minnesota. The fish are transported down via truck with separate tank compartments and then are transferred to the lake. The process of transferring them to the lake is done through CLA volunteers. Last year the event took place on the north side of Iyopawa Road where it was easy access from the tanker truck to the lake.
CLA thanks Jim Bentley for his efforts in bringing much of this information to light and for his time spent working with the DNR to acquire the permit to stock, organizing the purchase with the fish farm and coordinating the stocking process. Good job, Jim!
The ideal habitat for walleye is not well supported by lakes in the Branch County area. While Coldwater Lake is likely the best suited, it, too, has its challenges in providing walleye a habitat that enables them to prosper enough to sustain an ongoing fishery that includes walleye. In order to sustain the population, an ongoing and continuous stocking program is likely needed. It is through monitored efforts and surveys by the DNR that we measure the results. As these are infrequent, we also rely on the feedback from local anglers and fishing groups.
We hope you find the information here helpful and we will update this as time and developments allow. Ideally, we would engage local fishing clubs to help in providing additional information and feedback for these pages. If you or, someone you know is interested, please reach out to us.
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