ALL WAYS

LOOKING
FOR WATER & RIVERS

From easy going floats, to white water Springtime adventures our waterways provide scenic beauty, and adventures for pretty much any age and any skill level.

CADILLAC WATERWAYS

Between the lakes and nearby rivers, the area boasts an incredible sport fishery. Anglers can find walleye, pike, perch, rainbow trout and all manner of pan fish in the immediate area.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell have large populations of walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegills, perch, large mouth and small mouth bass. The two lakes are connected by a canal built during the long and interesting northern Michigan logging era. The canal was originally built so lumbermen could float timber from the shores of Lake Mitchell to waiting sawmills on Lake Cadillac. Today the canal serves as a convenient link between two of Michigan’s most popular fishing lakes.

The Big Manistee River and Pine River are two rivers within an hour of each other and access points can be found within 30 minutes of downtown Cadillac. The Big Manistee is known for its wide, smooth flowing waters, while the Pine is known throughout the country for its swift currents and challenging turns (especially in the early spring).

September anglers chasing Salmon or gearing up for hunting

By Steve Knaisel, PilgrimVillageFishing.com, Cadillac The leaves are starting to turn and there’s no traffic on the lakes-what a great time to be fishing. This fall, fish two different lakes connected by a canal. Each has a unique personality. No matter the weather,...

Birders flock to these 7 NW Michigan locales

By Dave FoleyWith its mixture of lakes and streams as well as forests, meadows, marshes, and agricultural lands, Cadillac is a natural gathering point for birds, both migratory, and year-round resident flocks. To help visitors, I worked with Dave Newhouse, a veteran...

Out and About, Fishing Hotspots for Free Fishing Weekend

By Dave Foley: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has designated June 10-11 as Free Fishing Weekend. That’s right, no license needed. Residents and out-of-state visitors may fish fish for free on both inland and Great Lakes waters, but fishing regulations...

Cadillac Tuesday Turtles – Cycling for the Novice

by: Ben Hikok, Tuesday Turtle originator, father, friend, community volunteer and attorney. Do you ever think back to the way you felt as a child while riding on your bicycle? Do you miss the wind in your hair (or at least as it blows through the vents in...

Sweet Summertime Weekend for $500 bucks

With summertime in Cadillac, you have outdoor adventure, trails, history and much more. Here is a recommended road map for those families looking to venture to the great outdoors this summer, on a budget. First off, you will need to book your accommodations. The great...

Manistee River Trail Loop Backpacking Trip December 14-16, 2018

As the seasons change and winter arrives, many people put away their backpacking gear. But as the snow falls and the crowds disappear, a new adventure awaits. It was a cold December night, and our group met at the Upper River Road trailhead on the North...

One Final Weekend on the River…

With September approaching, we find ourselves in the “dog days of summer” and with that, warm weather, warm water, and few weekends remain before Friday Night Lights, Football Season and snow blowing begin. Soak up all that summer has left to offer by...

Life can get ‘Ruff’, Take a Break at the Cadillac Area Dog Park

Looking for a place to let your dog run off some steam? The Cadillac Area Dog Park is the perfect place for you! Bill Allen, retired Cadillac High School teacher, recognized the need that the Cadillac Area had for accommodating dog owners and creating a...

Top 5 "Early Summer Hot Spots" in Cadillac

It could be considered rare for a relatively laid back northern Lower Michigan community to have such an eclectic mix of options to include in its choice for Top 5 Destinations. But if you know anything about Cadillac, this is pretty much business as...

One with nature at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center

By Maralee Cook Ever wonder what the difference between a coyote and wolf is? How about between a red and gray fox? How big is an Elk? What does a black bear sound like? You can see, hear and feel for yourself the qualities of many of Northern...

Cadillac Stories

Find the latest news and stories about the Cadillac region. Our team of local writers dig deep into the region's culture and provide our travel community the latest about entertainment, art, culture, trails, seasons and so much more.

We welcome you to explore Cadillac.