Hillsdale Outdoors

A Water Sports Paradise

Five thousand acres of water including 70 lakes and the headwaters of five major river systems make Hillsdale County a premier location in the tri-state region for fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing. Many lakes have public access and public boat launching areas including the county’s largest, Baw Beese Lake —an all-sports lake of just over 400 acres; Bear, Bird, Cub, Diane, Hemlock, Little Long, Long, and Round lakes also have public access.

Pike, perch, bass, crappie, muskie, catfish, and other varieties of fresh water fish are plentiful in Hillsdale County lakes. Long Lake has walleye; Bird and Bear Lakes have trout; Baw Beese, Bear, Bird, and Round Lakes are plentiful with bluegill. Lake Diane is a popular spot for large catfish and muskie. The only registered pay lake in Michigan, located in the northwest corner of the county, touts it has the largest catfish in Michigan. Trout fishing enthusiasts can try their luck in the Kalamazoo River near Mosherville and on the East Branch of the St. Joseph of Maumee River in the Lost Nation State Game Area

Ice fishing is a favorite winter pastime in Hillsdale County, especially during the many popular tip-up festivals held in the area. The Hillsdale County Conservation Club Tip-Up Festival , held the last weekend of January, is the second-oldest tip-up festival in Michigan.

The State of Michigan waives fishing license fees twice each year: the third weekend of February and the first week in June. This allows residents and out of state visitors to test their angler skills. Inland and Great Lakes waters fishing regulations still apply.

A Trail Runs Through It

A section of the North Country Trail weaves its way through Hillsdale County. From the Ohio border, it moves north through the rolling hills of the Lost Nation State Game Area and into Hillsdale and Jonesville, eventually heading northwest to Calhoun County. Lost Nation also has forests, wildflowers, ponds, and a meandering trout stream where hunting, hiking, fishing, shooting sports, and other outdoor activities are enjoyed.

Aside from the Lost Nation’s portion of the trail, eight miles of paved trail running from Sandy Beach at Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale and ending in downtown Jonesville wind along water features, wooded areas and neighborhoods and is a favorite of bicyclists, walkers, runners and bird watchers.

Mud on Your Tires

Located on US-12 approximately two miles north of Jerome in Somerset Township, Bundy Hill park is a vast, 350-acre area containing twenty new, challenging trails that have been groomed specifically for ATVs, ORVs, Jeeps, bikes, side-by-sides, 4x4 rigs, and crawlers. You’ll find everything on these trails: mud, rock crawls, tire crawls, wooded trails, steep hills, gullies, pea-gravel climbs, hooddeep water, and plenty of off-camber challenges throughout the park. Bundy Hill Offroad takes pride in being an alcohol-free and family-friendly place to wheel for all ages.

A Hunter’s Heaven

Known for some of the best whitetail deer hunting in south central lower Michigan, Hillsdale County also has plenty for the small game hunter to enjoy including turkey, pheasant, duck, geese, and rabbit. The State of Michigan maintains three wild game hunting areas in Hillsdale County: Lost Nation, Adams Township, and

Somerset State Game Areas.

Hillsdale County has several hunting preserves and facilities open to the public that offer day and guided hunts. Guests can hunt or trap species including pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, chukar, and elk. Several of the annual tip-up festivals in the county feature hunting and trapping contests.

Bird Watching

Hillsdale County has more than 260 species of birds from deep woods to open grassland varieties. Wild turkey, swan, warbler, crane, heron, owl, pheasant, and occasionally birds of prey like the osprey and bald eagle are sighted. A migratory bird sanctuary is located in the Somerset State Game Area .

Golf

Hillsdale County has two public 9-hole courses ( Mill Race in Jonesville, Litchfield Greens in Litchfield) and one 18-hole public course ( White Oaks , just outside of Hillsdale). The Hills of Baw Beese Lake , overlooking Baw Beese Lake, is a 9-hole private course. Seasonal Swing , located at the north end of downtown Hillsdale, lets you practice off the course with their indoor golf simulation technology.