ALL WAYS

ENJOYING OUR
LAKES & RIVERS

From easy going river floats, to summer boating adventures – our waterways provide scenic beauty, and adventures for pretty much any age and any skill level.

CADILLAC WATERWAYS

Between the rivers & lakes, the area boasts an incredible sport fishery. You can find walleye, pike, perch, rainbow trout and all manner of panfish in the immediate area.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell have large populations of walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegills, perch, largemouth, and smallmouth 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. Visit both of these lakes and experience them for yourself!

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). So, take your pick, and experience Cadillac Michigan.

If you are not renting your watercraft from one of our local liveries then you may need a permit in certain areas. Watercraft permits are required for all watercrafts (including tubes) on the Pine River between Elm Flats and Low Bridge, from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend.

Winter Paddling The Pine

Northern Michigan is packed with fun things to do and the winter season doesn't slow us down! Jake and Alaney Miltner at Pine River Paddlesports have pioneered a new way to enjoy The Pine River which see’s thousands of paddlers every summer and now you can enjoy the...

Exploring Northern Waters: Paddlesports In Cadillac

You don't have to go north to Ontario or the Upper Peninsula to  enjoy a wilderness-like paddling experience. In less than an hour's drive from Cadillac, one can find stretches of the Pine and Manistee River as well as the Tippy and Hodenpyl backwater impoundments...

A Quick Guide to Fun Summer Rentals in the Cadillac Area

When in Cadillac during the summer, enjoying our lakes and rivers are a must! Kayaking, swimming, boating and jet skiing are only a handful of the things you can do. But the cost of investing in equipment is expensive, especially when you can only use it for just a...

3700+ Acres of Lakes in Cadillac

For those looking for long tours, the canal connecting Cadillac and Mitchell lake, makes it possible to explore more than 3700 acres of lake. If lakes are your passion, there are public access launches at a half-dozen of them, in the Cadillac area....

Get out on the water!

By Maralee Cook Get out on the water! Boaters, paddlers and fishermen all start itching to get on the water at the first hints of spring. Those fresh fragrances, sights and sounds are a siren’s song to the adventurous as well as for those who seek that...

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...
STOP INVASIVES: CONTROL THE SPREAD OF DIDYMO!

Currently, there are no effective methods to eradicate didymo once it is established in a river or stream. To prevent spreading didymo and other aquatic invasive species to new locations, it is critical for recreational users to thoroughly clean, drain and dry waders, equipment and boats upon leaving a waterway.

  • Clean by removing mud and debris from all surfaces.
  • Drain water from all bilges, wells and tanks.
  • Dry equipment for at least five days or disinfect with hot water or a dilute bleach solution.

Click here to learn more about didymo.

RIVER RENTALS

Found 3 listings
Chippewa Landing’s friendly service, natural setting, and top quality equipment will always assure a great paddlesport experience. The first and friendliest name in camping, [...]
Rentals Available:
  • Kayak Rentals
  • Canoe Rentals
  • Raft Rentals
  • Tube Rentals
10420 Chippewa Landing Trail, Manton, Michigan 49663
Located in the heart of Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forest, Pine River Paddlesports Center is where family fun begins. We’re up North but close by.
Rentals Available:
  • Kayak Rentals
  • Canoe Rentals
  • Raft Rentals
  • Tube Rentals
9590 S. M-37, Wellston, Michigan 49689

RENTAL LOCATIONS

WATER SPORTS RENTALS