Natural inland lake (connected to Lake Cadillac by canal)

Lake Mitchell

Wexford County, Michigan

Lake Mitchell is a shallow lake of roughly 2,600 acres at Cadillac in Wexford County, joined to Lake Cadillac by the Clam Lake Canal and bordered by Mitchell State Park. It is known for a stocked Walleye fishery along with Northern Pike, bass and panfish.

Air temp in Cadillac, MI Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Lake Mitchell (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,649 acres

Max depth22 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●○

Stocked with spring fingerlings every other year; 2022 survey confirmed stocked fish surviving

Northern Pike●●●○○

Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.

Crappie●●●○○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Bluegill●●●○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Smallmouth Bass●●○○○

Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.

Yellow Perch●●○○○

Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.

Boat launches

4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Mitchell State Park boat launchPublic
Along M-115 on the lake; Recreation Passport requiredDirections ↗
Hemlock Campground (US Forest Service, Big Cove)Public
Listed as a boat launch on the Lake Mitchell association siteDirections ↗
Selma Township ParkPublic
Western shore; listed as a boat launch on the Lake Mitchell association siteDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Mitchell are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Pilgrim Village Fishing ShopNearby
181 S Lake Mitchell Dr, Cadillac231-775-5412 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Lake Mitchell ↗

Local tips

Spring: crappies hold in shallow coves and pike respond to spinners and live minnows.
Summer: fish deeper weed edges for bass; bluegills move to 10-15 feet.
Winter: pike over 30 inches and good crappie fishing are reported; spearing is allowed December through March 15.

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Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Michigan lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.