Ginny from the Blog

In northern Durham County, there’s an unincorporated community known as Bahama. Now be careful, you don’t want to sound like a Yankee when you go there. It’s not pronounced like the Bahamas on the Atlantic Coast. It’s Ba-Hey-Ma, singular.

Bahama is home of Lake Michie (pronounced “Mickey”), which serves as a water supply for Durham and is also a little known recreational area in the Triangle.

If you believe the claims on the city’s website, the lake boasts “some of the finest largemouth bass fishing in the Piedmont.” You can rent a boat or bring your own to test the claim (although you’ll have to wait until mid-March or early April, when the lake reopens for the season).

But if you want to paddle on the lake before then, you can sign up for the Moonlight Paddle, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Lake Michie boathouse. Only canoes and kayaks are allowed on the special night time trip. It’s unclear from the city’s website whether you can rent one if you need one, but you have to register to go so you can ask when you call (919) 477-9918.

Another cool fact about Lake Michie is that a 1940s vintage log building is located on site and available for rental. I covered a city council retreat out there about 5 years ago, and from what I can remember it was rustic and freezing inside. It’s called Spruce Pine Lodge, if you ever want to look it up.

I’m sorry that I don’t have any photos to show off of the lake. If you have one, feel free to link to it or drop me a note and I’ll give you credit & upload it to this post.

Here are directions from the city’s website (in case your Garmin decides to go all crazy on you):

Take a right on Bahama Rd, off of 501 N, follow until the lake. The Boathouse is on the right, the first driveway after crossing the lake.