ALL WAYS TO

HUNT IN THE CADILLAC AREA

A variety of species in all four seasons. Experience nature from our fields and forests while in pursuit of small game, deer and bear.

STAY IN CADILLAC

We have a variety of resorts, hotels, motels, cabins & campgrounds perfect for all seasons!

Hunting

The quality of hunting in Northern Michigan is legendary, while Cadillac offers some particularly unique advantages. Extensive access to public land is a primary reason hunters find their way to Cadillac during hunting seasons throughout the year. Whitetail Deer hunters flock to the Cadillac area for bow hunting, rifle and muzzle loading seasons, and are rarely disappointed. Black Bear is also included in the big-game list on our 600,000 acres of prime hunting land in the National Forest and State Forest surrounding Cadillac.

Small Game

A small game license entitles you to hunt rabbit, snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox and gray), pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock, quail, woodchuck, crow, coyote and waterfowl during the open season in the Cadillac area and Wexford County.  There is no closed season on opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, starling, feral pigeon, English sparrow, ground squirrel and woodchuck. Wexford County boasts one of the highest wild turkey populations in Northern Michigan and both fall and spring hunting opportunities exist on the permit basis.

Hunting Resources

We have several guides for hunting in the area, buck pole events as well as hunt clubs in Marion, Manton & Cadillac. We are also very fortunate to be a home to the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center, one of only seven MDNR Visitors Centers in the state. located between Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell.

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,...

Woods & Water Fishing

The warm low waters seen as the summer drags on create an increased density of trout in the deep pools. Targeting these deep holes after rapids and gravel often create the most opportunities to hook into a quality trout. Time of day is also an important factor. The...

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...

Lake & River Angling

Rolling hills, scenic beauty and pristine waters.  Welcome to the Cadillac area, offering an abundance of angling options on the lakes and along our rivers.  This area is unique in that there are several nearby streams and rivers that offer an angler a wide range of...

11 Ways to Enjoy The Color Change in Cadillac

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

(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...

Top 5 Places to Fish Opening Day of Trout Season

By Dylan Cook For many, the opening day of trout season is a woodsmen’s holiday only rivaled by the opening day of deer season. The last Saturday of April, which falls on the 27th this year, will see anglers from across the state head to the river in search of the...

Summer 2020 Family Bucket List – Cadillac, Michigan

Take a Day to go Hiking – from wide trails to forest trekking, there are several trails in the area to take the whole family. Always ensure you pack water, possibly a few snacks and bug spray.  Most trails only have bathrooms at the trailhead.   Make sure you have a...

Whitetail Firearm Season – Opening Day

The anticipation of hunting season is always fun, setting up blinds in the best spot possible, getting out trail cameras and taking photos of the deer in the area. The reality of hunting can be somewhat less glorious, long hours spent trying keep warm while making the...

Gobble, gobble… Spring is upon us; turkey hunting season is here

We are, in my opinion, in the “good ole days” of turkey hunting. It may be hard to believe, but not too long ago the wild turkey hunting season was unimaginably different. In the late 1970’s, according to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, a hunter had only a...

Cadillac Hunting & Fishing 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.

*NEW* MDNR Hunt Fish Mobile App

Licenses, permits, regulations and more, all in the palm of your hand!

MORE HUNTING & MICHIGAN DNR RESOURCE INFORMATION…


  • Our local MDNR office is located on Mackinaw Trail, between US-131 BR and M-115, just south of Downtown Cadillac.  Call 231-775-9727.
  • The Huron-Manistee National Forest are the only National Forests in Lower Michigan. The Huron-Manistee National Forests comprise almost a million acres of public lands extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan, offering over 500,000 acres in the Cadillac area, the largest single span in the lower peninsula. It provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry. Throughout the year there are campsites and trail heads throughout the National Forest for use. Some may require a fee/ permit. Call (800) 821-6263, located at 1755 South Mitchell street, just south of Downtown on BR US-131.