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Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Cadillac
For lake and trail people in every season: two lakes, a state park beach between them, the end of the White Pine Trail and a big winter trail network.
About 2 miles away (straight line)
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Lake Cadillac
Cadillac's in-town, all-sports lake: 1,150 acres and 28 feet deep, a canal to Lake Mitchell, a 7.5-mile path and winter ice fishing for perch and walleye.
Lake Cadillac is a town lake you can use in every season. It is an all-sports lake with no local limits, so ski, tube, fish or paddle across 1,150 acres that average about 12 feet deep. Walk or bike the 7.5-mile Lake Cadillac Foot and Bike Path, swim from the state park, then come back in winter, when ice anglers go after perch, panfish, walleye and pike and snowmobiles cross the lake. Cadillac itself, home to restaurants, shopping and festivals, is right there.
Start at William Mitchell State Park, on the strip of land between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. The park has a launch, a fishing pier and kayak and paddleboard rentals, and it gives you access to the path. Paddle the quarter-mile Clam Lake Canal between the two lakes, or fish from its banks.
The canal tells the lake’s history. Early lumber companies used Lake Cadillac to move logs to mills on its eastern shore. In 1873 George Mitchell had a channel dug about a third of a mile to Lake Mitchell, then called Big Clam Lake, so logs could float from the larger lake to the Cadillac mills. Lake Cadillac was Little Clam Lake until the names changed in 1903.
The lake sits within the city of Cadillac in Wexford County, and the town grew up around it. It covers 1,150 acres with 7.8 miles of shoreline, an average depth of about 12 feet and a deepest point of 28 feet.
On the water
Motorboats and rules
No special local limits are listed for the lake, so standard Michigan boating law applies.
Swimming
William Mitchell State Park, between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, lists swimming; its buoyed swim beach and beach house are on the Lake Mitchell side. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Public access
Use William Mitchell State Park, between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, as your base. It has a boat launch, fishing pier, swimming, paddling and paddlesport rentals, and it gives access to the 7.5-mile Lake Cadillac Foot and Bike Path. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Paddling
Paddling is popular on Lake Cadillac, Lake Mitchell and the quarter-mile Clam Lake Canal between them, all reachable from Mitchell State Park.
Fishing
Lake Cadillac is on the Michigan DNR's list of better fishing waters for bluegill, bullhead, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, sunfish, walleye and yellow perch. Check current Michigan DNR rules before fishing.
Fish species
Species include bluegill, bullhead, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, sunfish, walleye, and yellow perch.
Connected waters
The quarter-mile Clam Lake Canal, inside Mitchell State Park, links Lake Cadillac with Lake Mitchell. Shore fishing along the canal is popular.
In winter
Winter brings ice fishing and snowmobiling on the lake. DNR reports from the ice include tip-ups for walleye and pike, good catches of yellow perch, and panfish; in strong winters, ice fishing goes full bore on Cadillac and Mitchell. Early and late ice can be unsafe, so check conditions first.
Public boat launches
Mitchell State Park Lake Cadillac boating access site
Boating access site inside the state park campground on Lake Cadillac. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Friends of Mitchell State Park
Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals at the state park campground contact station. Proceeds support the park, and hours vary by season.
Listed because their own sites say they rent on this water. Not an endorsement, and we have no ties to them. Check with them for what is available.
Fishing, launching at a state site or parking at a state park? See licenses and passes for what you need before you go.
Anything not listed here is unverified. Do not assume public access across private shoreline. Check the Michigan DNR boating access listings and the current fishing regulations.
Through the seasons
Location
Map of Lake Cadillac
2 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Places to stay near Lake Cadillac
Lakefront cottages and homes are listed by the local rental managers and booking sites below.
Hotels and inns
Budget
Hampton Inn & Suites CadillacAAA Three Diamond · Featured by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
Search all hotels in Cadillac: Booking.com · Expedia · Hotels.com · Google Hotels
We don’t take bookings or earn anything from these links. Rates, availability and any booking problems are handled by the booking site.
Nearby towns
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances from the map point.
Trail
Fred Meijer White Pine Trail
A 92-mile paved rail trail whose northern end is in Cadillac, for long rides south through towns, farmland and woods toward Grand Rapids.
Under a mile away (straight line)
State park
William Mitchell State Park
Cadillac's state park between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac, with a campground, the Clam Lake Canal and the start of the White Pine Trail.
About 1 miles away (straight line)
Ski area
Caberfae Peaks
A ski resort west of Cadillac with 27 runs and 5 lifts across three peaks, plus about 10 miles of cross-country trails that are free to use.
About 15 miles away (straight line)
More lakes and rivers nearby
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Lake Mitchell
A broad, shallow, all-sports lake west of Cadillac: 2,496 acres, a state park beach and campground, a canal to paddle and crappie and bluegill through the ice.
- All-sports
- Swim beach
- Public launch
- Rentals
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Lake Missaukee
Lake City's all-sports town lake: 1,880 acres and mostly under 15 feet deep, with a public beach, a city launch, and walleye, perch and pike through the ice.
- All-sports
- Swim beach
- Public launch
River · Ludington & Manistee
Pine River
A narrow, winding river near Cadillac for canoe, kayak and raft trips from Wellston liveries, blue ribbon trout fishing and year-round access.
- Public launch
- Rentals