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Description

Waffle Farm Campground is located on a a chain of 7 lakes. All 7 lakes are noted in southern Michigan for their excellent fishing. If you are interested in Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike… They Are All Here! Last year there were over 10 Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Tournaments that started from this campground.

With more than 100 lakes, including two chains of lakes, Branch County is a haven for relaxation on the water. Take your boat and spend the afternoon floating and taking in the sights. Anglers will find a hot spot for reeling in the catch of the day.

Two masses of lakes, the North Chain and the South Chain of Lakes each are connected with channels and can be traveled through by motorboats. The North Chain is 12 miles one way and the South Chain is 17 miles. The North and South Chain of Lakes offer a relaxing trip down each chain through 7 connected lakes. Both chains are rich with fish including bluegill, perch, northern pike, walleye, red ear sunfish and both small and large mouth bass. Branch County sells more fishing licenses than any other county in Michigan. The North Chain even has a couple restaurants, pubs, and a few ice cream stops along the way that you can travel to by boat. The South Chain offers boaters several beautiful sandbars to stop and cool off in the knee-deep water.  Bring your own boat and launch off one of the many public ramps or boat rentals are available on either chain.

The North Chain of Lakes, (also known as the Randall Chain of Lakes) is a series of seven lakes including Messenger, South, Cemetery, North, Randall, Morrison and Craig lakes located in central Branch County near the City of Coldwater. Formed during the Wisconsin glacial stage (10,000 – 75,000 years ago), the lakes were increased in size and depth by historical marl mining operations and the construction of a nine foot high dam on Coldwater River near the town of Hodunk in 1847. Collectively, the North Chain of Lakes and connecting channels cover approximately 1100 acres.

Craig Lake:

Location: North of Coldwater, off Union City Road, on the North Chain of Lakes-north of Morrison Lake
Degrees Minutes Seconds:  Latitude: 420015N  Longitude: 0850143W
Decimal Degrees:  Latitude: 42.00417  Longitude: -85.02861
Approximate Acres of Water: 122
Ramp: Hard Surfaced-On Channel above South Lake
Type of Lake Bottom: Fibrous Peat, Sand and Marl
Best Fishing: Bluegill, Crappie and Largemouth Bass

Morrison Lake:

Degrees Minutes Seconds:  Latitude: 415918N   Longitude: 0850145W
Decimal Degrees:  Latitude: 41.9883814   Longitude:-85.0291346
Elevation: 922 feet
Approximate Acres of Water: 288
Ramp: On Channel above South Lake-Hard Surfaced
Type of Lake Bottom: Fibrous Peat, Sand, Marl, Pulpy Peat, Gravel and Muck
Best Fishing: Bluegill, Crappie and Largemouth Bass

Cemetery Lake / North Lake / Randall Lake

Location: Just west of Coldwater On North Chain-between Morrison Lake & Messenger Lake
Degrees Minutes Seconds:  Latitude: 415709N  Longitude: 0850209W
Decimal Degrees:  Latitude: 41.9525  Longitude: -85.03583
Approximate Acres of Water: 513
Ramp: Hard Surfaced-On US 12 on Channel and On Narrows Road
Type of Lake Bottom: Fibrous Peat and Marl
Best Fishing: Bluegill and Pan Fish

Messenger Lake – West of Coldwater

Degrees Minutes Seconds:  Latitude: 415622N   Longitude: 0850220W
Decimal Degrees:  Latitude: 41.9394929   Longitude:-85.0388567
Elevation:  922 feet
Approximate Acres of Water: 54
Ramp: On Channel above South Lake-Hard Surfaced
Type of Lake Bottom: Fibrous Peat, Sand, Marl, Pulpy Peat and Muck
Best Fishing: Bluegill and Largemouth Bass

South Lake

Degrees Minutes Seconds:  Latitude: 415610N  Longitude: 0850202W
Decimal Degrees:  Latitude:41.9361597   Longitude:- 85.0338564
Elevation:  922 feet
Approximate Acres of Water: 118
Ramp: On Channel above lake-Hard Surfaced
Type of Lake Bottom: Fibrous Peat, Sand, Marl, Pulpy Peat and Muck
Best Fishing: Bluegill and Largemouth Bass