About

Independence Oaks-North features a 312-foot boardwalk connecting to a 180-foot-long fishing dock, is located one mile north of Independence Oaks County Park. Park visitors can portage and launch canoes, kayaks or other registered portable non-motorized boats. All watercraft must be hand carried along a 1,200-foot-long gravel trail from the parking lot; no vehicular boat launch provided. The docks are located in the northern kettle of Upper Bushman Lake in approximately 15’-19’ of water. Anglers can fish for Large-mouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Bullhead Catfish, Northern Pike and Croppie. Anglers must follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources rules including possession of a fishing license. A Catch-and- Release Only Special Designation is enforced on Upper Bushman Lake as a result of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Order 244, making it the only public access lake in Southeast Michigan managed with special fishing regulations. Anglers can catch fish, but must release them back into the lake to support this high-quality fishery. The 31-acre lake has limited spawning habitat and had little to no fishing pressure historically so without the order, Upper Bushman Lake would be over-harvested and would not perform at its biological potential. The property is open for archery deer hunting in the fall.

Printable Map

Activities

• Archery - Hunting
• Boat / Canoe / Kayak
• Fishing
• Trails