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 mix of resorts, hotels, motels, cabins & campgrounds in all seasons! Find the one right for you.

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.

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...

Late Autumn Fishing on the Big Manistee

By Maralee Cook While many fly fishermen are happy to be on the water at any time of year, D-Loop Outfitters owner Dave Barkman will tell you there are three great reasons to fish the Big Manistee River in autumn: “There are large opportunities for...

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...

The Superbowl of Deer Season

(Mike Porter, Tim Porter, Levi Rowan, Lynn Frankenberger, and Jon Porter take a break from hunting for a picture and some lunch) November 15, a day for many Michiganders filled with incredible excitement. The opening day of deer rifle season is one of the best days of...

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

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...

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...

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,...

Spring might be the best fishing for walleye, pike, and trout

by Dave Foley Unlike downstate areas, these trout waters won't be crowded. Although there may be several hundred trying their luck on Opening Day, in the Cadillac area, crowding is not a problem. It's likely an angler will fish a stretch of river and rarely see...

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...

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.