Boating

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell in Cadillac, and Lake Missaukee east of Cadillac in Lake City, offer over 3,500 acres of prime water sports opportunities. Cadillac and Mitchell, the two largest lakes of Cadillac, 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 lakes for boating.

Boaters, paddlers and fishermen all start itching to get on the water at the first hints of spring. Those fresh fragrances, sights and sounds call to the adventurous as well as for those who seek that special peace found only on the water. So get your boat on its trailer, load up the canoes and kayaks, stow your gear and c’mon over to Cadillac!

Out & About, Steelhead on the Move

by Dave Foley | March 3, 2025 | Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hunting and Fishing, Out and About with Dave Foley | 0 Comments

By Dave Foley Rivers like the Pere Marquette, as well as the Big and Little Manistee, get a little crowded after Labor Day as thousands of salmon leave Lake Michigan to push up these steams to spawn. From late August until September king and coho salmon dominate the...

Winter Fun at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center Center

by CAVB Staff | January 1, 2025 | Hiking Trails, Trails & Parks, winter, Winter Skiing - XC Ski/Snowshoe/Fatbike | 0 Comments

Winter hikes, ice fishing classes and more! The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, at the popular Mitchell State Park, offers a range of programs for all ages. Visitors are greeted by a 500 gallon aquarium showcasing the fish of Lake Mitchell and Lake...

Five Scenic In-and-Out Hikes Along the North Country Trail

by Dave Foley | October 10, 2024 | Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hiking Trails, Out and About with Dave Foley, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

The 4600 mile North Country Trail (NCT), beginning in Maine and running to North Dakota, passes through Michigan. More than 100 miles of it are within 40 miles of Cadillac. With so many miles of trail available, deciding where to go could be a problem. But wherever...

11 Ways to Enjoy The Color Change in Cadillac

by CAVB Staff | October 2, 2024 | Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hiking Trails, Hunting and Fishing, Self Guided Trips, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

Enjoy the New ORV Scenic Ride - Fall is the perfect time to explore the ORV Scenic Ride! With crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage in full color, you'll experience an exciting ride through the changing landscape and you might even find some mud along the way. The...

Hooking Into The Fall Steelhead Run

by Dylan Cook | October 1, 2024 | Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hunting and Fishing, Late Fall | 0 Comments

(Parker McNitt fighting a steelhead on a center pin rod) The Manistee River, located west of Cadillac, is the mecca of steelhead fishing. Steelhead, a migratory rainbow trout, are one of the most sought-after fish in the world. Every year, thousands of these fish...

Walk, Run, Hike & Bike – Here are 7 Paths to Take in Cadillac this Fall

by Dave Foley | September 2, 2024 | Biking, Cadillac Stories, Downtown, Fall, Late Fall, Out and About with Dave Foley, Self Guided Trips, Summer, Trails & Parks | 2 Comments

By Dave Foley: Tired of running the same old routes? If you’re visiting Cadillac you can go out every day for a week, never take the same route twice and start each one within five miles of downtown.#1 Keith McKellop Walkway (2 Miles) Probably the best known is the...

The Gold Standard in Fish Decoy Carving is known as “The Cadillac Style”

by CAVB Staff | August 5, 2024 | Cadillac Stories, History, Hunting and Fishing | 0 Comments

Fish decoy carving has been a unique part of fishing culture for generations and they are still being used today. But did you know the rich history it has right here in Cadillac? The main purpose of decoys now is for ice fishing/spearing. After a hole is cut in the...

Lace Up Those Shoes for a Week’s Worth of Trails in Cadillac!

by Dave Foley | July 19, 2024 | Biking, Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hiking Trails, Out and About with Dave Foley, Self Guided Trips, Spring, Summer, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

Tired of running the same old routes? If you're looking for different views of Cadillac here is a plan for your week - never run the same route twice and start each run within five miles of downtown!Sunday McKellop Walkway Probably the best known is the McKellop...

Urban Escapes: 3 Short Walks Close to Cadillac

by Dave Foley | April 22, 2024 | Cadillac Stories, Hiking Trails, Out and About with Dave Foley, Self Guided Trips, Spring, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

When you think of getting out for some exercise in the Cadillac area, the favorite places are the White Pine Trail, the paths at the Carl T. Johnson Outdoor Center, the Clam River Greenway, and the Keith McKellop Walkway. But there are several other local nature...

Birders Flock To These 8 Locations in and Around Cadillac

by Dave Foley | May 7, 2023 | Cadillac Stories, Out and About with Dave Foley, Spring, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

By Dave Foley With 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. I have worked with veteran local birder, Dave Newhouse,...