Lake Cadillac — Michigan Fishing
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Lake Cadillac

📍 Wexford County, Michigan

Connected to Lake Mitchell via canal. Good walleye, northern pike, and perch. Right next to downtown Cadillac.

1,141
Acres
21 ft
Max depth
14
Fish species
2
Boat launches
Public access

🐟 Fish Species

Species Population Best technique
Micropterus salmoides
Best largemouth bass lake in West Michigan. Weedy flats perfect habitat.
Excellent Plastic worms, crankbaits, topwater frogs near lily pads
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Good Small jigs, minnows under a bobber near brush piles
Lepomis macrochirus
Good Worms, crickets, small spinners near docks and weeds
Amia calva
Called "dogfish" locally
Good Live or cut bait (suckers, chubs), large spinners, swimbaits, and topwater lures near thick weed edges. Use wire leader -- bowfin have sharp teeth.
Ameiurus nebulosus
Common night-fishing target
Good Bottom fishing at night with nightcrawlers, chicken liver, stink baits, or cut bait on a simple sinker rig. No need for fancy gear -- a cane pole and worm works fine.
Cyprinus carpio
Invasive — widespread in warm, shallow bays
Good Corn, boilies, and dough balls on bottom hair rigs ÔÇö or spot-and-stalk with bow fishing gear
Lepomis cyanellus
Good Small spinners, inline buzzbaits, tiny poppers, worms under a bobber, and small jigs. Will hit nearly any lure presented in the right size.
Lepisosteus osseus
Good Specialized rope or nylon-mesh lures (gar teeth tangle in fibers rather than missing a hook-point); also live baitfish on a wire leader. Standard hooks rarely penetrate the bony jaw.
Lepomis gibbosus
Good Small worms, crickets, tiny jigs near docks and weed edges ÔÇö same approach as bluegill
Sander vitreus
Walleye population supported by stocking program.
Good Jigs with minnows, crawler harnesses, trolling crankbaits
Morone chrysops
Surface feeding schools in summer
Good Small white jigs, tube jigs, spinners, small crankbaits ÔÇö follow surface activity and work fast
Pomoxis annularis
Good Small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 oz) in white, chartreuse, or pink; small minnows under a slip-float; tiny crankbaits worked slowly through structure
Perca flavescens
Good Small jigs tipped with minnow or waxworm, small spinners, ice fishing with teardrops and waxworms
Esox lucius
Fair Spoons, large swimbaits, sucker minnows under a bobber

📋 DNR Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity Size Notes
Jun 20, 2024 Walleye 72,065 1.6" Imported from DNR CSV
May 1, 2024 Walleye 2,000 7.5" Walleye fingerlings — spring stocking
Apr 26, 2024 Walleye 200,000 0.0" Imported from DNR CSV
May 5, 2023 Walleye 2,200 7.0" Walleye fingerlings — spring stocking
Jun 8, 2022 Walleye 52,699 1.0" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 1, 2018 Walleye 29,000 1.5" Imported from DNR CSV
May 31, 2018 Walleye 41,375 1.5" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 22, 2016 Walleye 30,222 2.0" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 3, 2016 Walleye 29,635 1.5" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 25, 2014 Walleye 105,151 2.3" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 19, 2014 Walleye 1,087 1.4" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 17, 2014 Walleye 17,561 1.4" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 14, 2012 Walleye 12,148 1.5" Imported from DNR CSV
May 31, 2012 Walleye 59,686 1.6" Imported from DNR CSV
Jun 30, 2011 Walleye 14,867 1.8" Imported from DNR CSV
Oct 17, 2008 Walleye 5,807 3.6" Imported from DNR CSV
Oct 15, 2008 Walleye 9,620 3.6" Imported from DNR CSV
Oct 14, 2008 Walleye 13,156 3.6" Imported from DNR CSV
Nov 21, 2006 Walleye 15,839 4.0" Imported from DNR CSV
Nov 1, 2006 Walleye 577 3.6" Imported from DNR CSV

* Records shown are from our database. For the most current data, visit the Michigan DNR directly.

📏 Fishing Regulations

No regulations on file. Check the Michigan DNR Fishing Guide for current rules.

Boat Launches

Cadillac City Launch
📍 100 Chestnut St, Cadillac, MI 49601
Paved ramp Free 80 parking spots
Amenities: Restrooms, fish cleaning station, parking
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Lake Cadillac Resort Area Launch
📍 Lake Mitchell Dr, Cadillac, MI 49601
Paved ramp Free 40 parking spots
Amenities: Restrooms, dock, bait shop nearby
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