Holly Township Beach

The heart of public access to Bush Lake is Holly Township Beach at 501 Thomas Street, a well-run municipal swimming spot that punches above its weight for a small-town lake beach. Lifeguards certified by the Red Cross are on duty during all operating hours, and the beach opens mid-June through Labor Day, seven days a week from noon to 8 PM, weather permitting.↗

A concession stand sells drinks and snacks throughout the season, and a picnic area with barbecue grills is available on a first-come basis—ideal for families who want to spend an entire afternoon on the sand without leaving the lake. The township beach setting, with the dam just steps away and the Village of Holly's historic main street a short walk from the parking lot, gives it the feel of a genuine small-town swimming hole rather than a generic park facility.↗

Fishing

Bush Lake supports a diverse and well-balanced fish community. A 2024 Michigan DNR survey documented 25 species—a notably high count for a lake of this size—reflecting the varied habitats from sandy shallows to deep muck basins. The warm-water species dominate, but cooler conditions at depth also support a mix that keeps fishing productive across seasons.↗

Largemouth bass are the primary game fish, with 38% of surveyed bass exceeding the 14-inch legal limit and the largest recorded at 18 inches. Anglers targeting bass fish from a small boat or the shore near the vegetation lines. Northern pike are present and range from 13 to 26 inches, though fewer reach harvest size due to limited deep, cool-water habitat.↗↗

Panfish are where Bush Lake really shines for family fishing. Bluegill are abundant and well-sized—over 30% exceed six inches. Pumpkinseed are exceptional here, with over 90% of surveyed fish above the six-inch harvest minimum and notably fast growth compared to statewide averages. Black crappie, rock bass, and yellow perch round out the panfish catch, while channel catfish are also present. Natural recruitment sustains the fishery without stocking, and the community has been stable since the DNR's first survey back in 1985.↗↗

Boating and Water Access

A small-boat launch provides access to Bush Lake, suitable for jon boats and compact fishing craft. Anglers regularly use the ramp to reach the deeper southwest basin or work around the shoal that separates the two halves of the lake. The sandy bottom in shallow areas means you can beach a small boat temporarily without much worry, though the steep drop-off at the launch itself calls for careful backing and loading.↗↗

Paddling is another option for exploring Bush Lake's quieter corners. The lake's two-basin shape means the north end tends to be calmer and shallower, with good chances to spot turtles sunning on logs or a heron working the vegetation edges.

The Village of Holly Setting

What elevates Bush Lake above many Michigan lake day-trips is its proximity to the Village of Holly—a celebrated small town known for its historic Main Street, quirky antique shops, and an outsized events calendar. The lake sits at the village's eastern edge, so it's easy to combine a morning on the water with lunch in downtown Holly, a Wednesday evening classic car cruise, or a December visit during the Dickens Christmas Festival.↗

The village has a genuine character that many Michigan resort towns lack: Victorian architecture, a functioning historic train depot, the 1858 Hadley House Museum, and Battle Alley—a pedestrian-friendly social district where restaurant patrons carry drinks and takeout into the alley. Holly is sometimes called the Maple Syrup Capital of Michigan, and the rural feel persists despite the lake being less than 50 miles from Detroit.↗

Nearby Recreation

Holly Recreation Area, a sprawling state park with over 8,000 acres of rolling woodlands and multiple lakes, sits just south of the village along Grange Hall Road. The park offers hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, camping, paddling, and its own beach facilities—making it a natural companion visit if you want to extend a Bush Lake trip into a full weekend outdoors.↗

Seven Lakes State Park is also within a short drive to the west, offering additional swimming, fishing, and trail options in a more rustic setting.