Did you hear the news? The fish are biting, and the docks are in at Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac.
Greater Cadillac is an outdoorsman’s paradise, and fishing here is like that sandy Caribbean beach you can’t leave – it’s everywhere. If water is your thing, coming to a state that has over 11,000 inland lakes is probably the right choice to make.
Bring your boat, your bathing suit, your appetite for all of the great food in Greater Cadillac, and of course, your poles and tackle box. We have you covered from lodging, leisure, food and the perfect place for a family trip, or even a solo trip at Northern Michigan’s basecamp, otherwise known as Cadillac.
You’re probably reading this and thinking, “alright, can he just tell us where to go already?” No problem, you’re hooked now, so let’s jump right in.
Lake Mitchell
Lake Mitchell, named after William Mitchell, is one of Cadillac’s two lakes. At over 2500 acres, and mostly 15 feet, or less deep, anglers can expect good results here. There are some pockets in the lake that provide deeper cover, and perfect fishing holes.
This is one of the two excellent bass fishing lakes in Cadillac, where large mouths are the main draw. There’s also no shortage of nice Crappie, or, if you’re looking to go bigger, Walleye and Pike loom in these waters, too. All are a lot of fun to catch.
Be sure to check and make sure you have a valid fishing license. If not, head on over to Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center or Pilgrim’s Village Resort to grab a new one. Pilgrim’s Village Resort is also a lodging property that backs right up to the lake and has some of the best fishing goods and advice in the entire area.
Lake Cadillac
The namesake of the city, Lake Cadillac was once called “Little Clam Lake,” before Cadillac was subsequently renamed after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac – who famously founded Detroit in 1701. You can head on over to Lake Cadillac through the Clam Lake Canal – made to allow easier access for the loggers in the area in the 1800s – after you’ve finished at Lake Mitchell.
Here, you can bring the boat, wade, or fish on from the shoreline (no shame in that!), you’ll see a plethora of weed cover in this over 1100-acre lake, making it prime for similar species of fish to Lake Mitchell. Local fishing legend, and owner of Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest, John Bergsma was in the area lately to do a show on the lakes and said, “it’s hard to think of a better place for a mixed bag catch than Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac.” You can find that show here.
The bass are also the talk of both lakes, “excellent bass fishing,” Bergsma said. “This is the single biggest species draw week in and out.”
Lake Cadillac sits at 15 feet or less for around 50% of the lake, making the edge of the various weed beds in the lake a clear area to catch predatory fish. Think of it as a tiger lurking near its prey, it wants to take the prey by surprise. The larger fish of the lake operate in a similar sense.
We have two lodging properties right on the Lake itself at Lake Cadillac Resort and Sunset Shores, you can even dock your boat at Sunset Shores while you stay!
Lake Missaukee
Located in the conveniently named Lake City, Lake Missaukee is a gem in Northern Michigan and is located less than 20 minutes away from Downtown Cadillac. This lake was also one with deep ties to the logging industry in the area and is believed to have been formed as a result of a glacier. With a new dock in the lake, boaters and fishermen alike will be able to navigate this over 1800-acre lake. Fishing from a pier, shore, or on the water makes Lake Missaukee’s access abundant and provides many opportunities for anglers.
You can expect this lake to carry much of the same in terms of fish, as the other two aforementioned lakes. With a maximum depth of 27 feet, this lake can find itself to be a bit deeper than the other two at times but mostly sits at a depth of less than 15 feet. And, with great coverage of aquatic plants, you’ll find plenty of fish, including your typical Bluegill, Crappie, Bass, Walleye and more.
Pine River
The Pine River is one for more experienced anglers, and one of many the adventures you can have in Greater Cadillac. This river is faster-moving in nature and is a trout haven for those more interested in fly fishing. Recently, the Pine River had quite a high water level. Jake Milter, owner of Pine River Paddle Sports, along with others, helped clear some of the debris that was impacting the river.
He is an expert on the Pine (take a trip down the Pine with him after you catch your fish!), and recently developed an app called River Scout so you can check the conditions in real-time.
“It’s hard to remove myself from rivers to identify why I love them — they’ve just always been a part of my life. I love the adventure of discovery. I love the art of ‘the paddle’ and interacting with a current. I love sharing the experiences with others,” Miltner said. “The Pine is a nationally designated ‘Wild and Scenic River’, and justly so. Most Michiganders have never seen it — and that’s not unique. All around us there are rivers, forests, and wild places.”
“I want to play a part in sharing those places with seasoned outdoors enthusiasts, as well as people just looking to get their toes wet for the first time. I wanted to build the river data and resource tool I always wished existed,” Miltner added.
He also spoke about his connections to the river, and why he built the app.
“It just seemed natural. My grandfather died in the Boardman River. My dad ran a livery on the Pine for 50 years. My uncle has a rafting company on the American and Truckee in California. My great-uncle had a livery on the Big Manistee. Vacations always revolved around a river, now I have a livery on the Pine. Rivers run in my family.”
Manistee River
The Manistee River, also known as the Upper Big Manistee River, is one of the best fishing rivers in the entire state. This river, with some of its best access points near Wellston and Brethren, is full of legendary Trout, Steelhead and Salmon, Chinook being the current draw, and Coho Salmon later in the year.
You will see some massive fish in these waters, the Michigan DNR’s shows great fishing reports mentioning a good showing of both Brown Trout and Chinook Salmon. This river is slower than the Pine, but does have its points where it can pick up, so be mindful when wading, boating, or fishing along the banks.
Pere Marquette River
Not far from Cadillac, another top tier river that many also consider to be one of the best fishing rivers in the state exists: The Pere Marquette. You can expect to catch some very large Salmon, Brown Trout and Steelhead on the river, whether it’s on the claybanks, on your boat, or wading in the river, you can expect a more moderate, even flow on this river most days.
All right, now you’re prepared to go fishing. Be mindful of local wildlife, respect the nature you’re in the presence of, and of course, have fun.
Disclaimer: Be sure to check conditions of each river, or lake you will be fishing on.