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,...

Opening day brings out walleye, pike, and trout anglers

by Dave FoleyAlthough the November 15 deer season opener garners most of the attention, among anglers, the last Saturday of the month, this year the big day is April 29, when pike, walleye, and trout become legal.At dawn on the 29th cars bump down seldom-used two...

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...

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...

5 walking trails that won't disappoint fall color seekers

by Dave Foley When the sumac bushes turn crimson and the maple leaves burst forth in red, I adjust my priorities. Being indoors when nature is staging its annual leafy color show is just wrong. Starting in the last days of September the dominant woodland green starts...

Out and About, 10 Essentials for Your Next Hiking Trip

By Dave Foley: If you enjoy hiking, be it a day trip or an overnight on the trail, there’s plenty of opportunities in the Cadillac area. Pick any stretch of the more than 50 miles or North Country Trail in our area, or hike the Manistee River Trail between Hodenpyl...

2 Awesome Rivers

2 Awesome Rivers You don’t have to go north to Ontario or the Upper Peninsula to enjoy a wilderness-like paddling experience on 2 awesome rivers. In less than an hour’s drive from Cadillac, you can find stretches of the Pine and Big Manistee Rivers as well...

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...

Experience the Clam River Greenway Trail!

by Harmony Boardman I am a 14 year old teenager who likes nature and photography. One of the cool things about Cadillac is the Clam River Greenway Trail Head. This trail starts at the Sound Garden on the north side of Lake Cadillac and ends 7.5 miles to the northeast...

New Winter Sports Trail at Cadillac Pathway popular with Fat-bikers

By Dave FoleyWhen the snow conditions are right, the MDNR Cadillac Pathway parking lot off Seeley Road just east of Cadillac, will be filled with cars left by cross country skiers, fatbike enthusiasts, and snowshoers. While the Cadillac Pathway has been a...

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.