Bush Lake near Holly: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bush Lake lies in Oakland County, Michigan. It sits in pine and birch country. Roughly 110 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Bank access stretches around 3.0 miles in total. It ranks high for size among our Oakland County listings. Holly lies 1 mile from the water. After that come Fenton at 4.5 miles and Lake Fenton at 5.5 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Bush Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Open biodiversity records for Oakland County list bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Treat Bush Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 70°F; the cold one sits at 22°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice clears near early April and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Bush Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Should this one be busy, Rice Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the position at Bush Lake before loading the car.