HAVE you ever DREAMED of OWNING your own LAKE?? NOW is your CHANCE!! The property is a remarkable 170-acre sanctuary—a place where you can wake each morning with bountiful hunting and fishing opportunities at your doorstep. Schultz Lake is approximately 20 acres, full of fish, and completely private. The forested hillsides surrounding the lake feature towering beech, maple, oak, and hickory trees. The southern part of the property has an open, shrubby area with a food plot, creating varied habitat for deer, turkey, and other wildlife. This would be the perfect property to purchase with multiple partners and share as a hunting and fishing retreat. Just south of the quintessential Michigan small town of Hastings, bursting with charm and a vibrant, walkable downtown, the property has easy access to M-43 and a quick commute to Grand Rapids (49 minutes) or Kalamazoo (43 minutes).

Conservation Easement

The vast natural features are protected by a conservation easement held by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. See the full easement document and easement summary in the Documents tab above. Land conservancy website: https://swmlc.org

Schultz Lake

Schultz Lake is about 20 acres and about 25 feet deep. Fish the lake for trophy largemouth bass, 12-inch perch, bluegill, and crappie. The dock and small fishing boat will be sold with the property. The well-constructed dam controlling Schultz Lake’s water level was designed and funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited.

History of the Property

This property was formerly owned by the legendary Dr. Henry Lewis Batts, Jr., a pioneering Michigan conservationist and co-founder of the Kalamazoo Nature Center and Environmental Defense Fund. Drawn to the rare and unique character of this land, Dr. Batts purchased it with the intention of preserving its natural beauty. The property’s history is intertwined with the CKS Railroad, which once traversed the land. Learn more about Dr. Batts, the CKS Railroad, and the fascinating history of this special place in the History tab above.

The City of Hastings

Hastings is a vibrant community located on the Thornapple River in the heart of Barry County. Here, you will find Hastings to be the home of quaint shops and unique restaurants in a very special small town surrounded by nature’s beauty. Throughout the summer there is a weekly farmers market and weekly outdoor live concerts at the amphitheater by the river. Find out more at: https://www.michigan.org/city/hastings.

Barry County

The property is in beautiful Barry County, which is often referred to as the County that you can be down state but feel like you are in Northern Michigan. Barry County has a total of over 35,000 acres conserved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), local government, and nonprofit organizations.

Property Tax

This is a HUGE incentive for the new owner!! Thanks to Public Act 446 passed in 2006, upon transfer of a conservation easement property the property tax remains capped. There will be no “pop-up” to the current SEV.