Learning Center Catch

A PRIZED CATCH IN OAKLAND COUNTY

By BILL LAITNER FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

   A coveted private fishing hole in northeast Oakland County — so good, anglers have been sneaking onto the property — is to open for public fishing in spring 2011.

   Upper Bushman Lake is on 186 acres of unspoiled land newly acquired by Oakland County Parks and Recreation and adjoining Independence Oaks County Park, three miles north of DTE Energy Music Theatre.

   Officials who led tours around the lake Friday called the parcel a prized catch.

   “You really feel like you’re Up North here,” county parks Executive Officer Dan Stencil said after strolling through the mixed conifer and hardwood forest, said to be a rarity in southeastern Michigan.

   “We saw migrating ducks going through, some mute swans and a few deer. There’s evidence of beaver activity,” Stencil said. Not to mention, swimming in 31-acre Upper Bushman Lake are bass, pike, bluegill, perch, sunfish and more.

   “We’ve heard there’s some real lunkers. This hasn’t been fished much in a long time,” he said.

   Park officials have put up gates and “No access” signs. However, they’ll roll out the welcome mat next year not only to anglers, with a new fishing dock, but to bird watchers and hikers. By October 2011, “We hope to open it to archery deer hunting,” but only on this new parcel, not on the other 1,098 acres of Independence Oaks park, natural resources planner Brittany Bird said.

   The Arnold family, which sold the property for $2.8 million, is moving from the 4,000-square-foot manor house and 2,000-square-foot guest cottage to Bloomfield Hills, parks officials said.

   “Ultimately, we’re looking to turn this into an outdoor recreation learning center. We’d provide learning opportunities for archery, fishing, trapping, kayaking, birdwatching — things related to Michigan’s heritage,” Bird said.

   • CONTACT BILL LAITNER: 586-826-7264 OR BLAITNER@FREEPRESS.COM  

SARAH RICE/Special to the Free Press

   Dan Stencil, Oakland County Parks and Recreation executive officer, conducts a tour of the land surrounding Upper Bushman Lake, adjoining Independence Oaks County Park in Independence Township on Friday.