Outdoor Adventures

Perched between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac in Wexford County, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center at 6087 M-115, Cadillac, MI 49601, is your hub for Michigan’s outdoor heritage. Inside Mitchell State Park’s 660 acres, this visitor center dives deep into the state’s hunting and fishing roots while serving up real-deal nature vibes. Whether you’re an angler, hunter, or just love the wild, this Northern Michigan spot off M-115 delivers a taste of the outdoors you won’t find anywhere else.

Heritage Meets Hands-On

Named for Carl T. Johnson, a Michigan Conservation Foundation bigwig who lived for hunting and fishing, this center’s a powerhouse of history. Step inside and hit the exhibit hall—500-gallon aquariums show off native fish like bass and perch, while displays trace hunting and fishing from Native American days to now. Vintage gear, like old rods and traps, sits alongside a conservation timeline, shouting out sportsmen and women who’ve shaped 150+ years of Michigan’s wild legacy. A push-button elk call or grayling tank (part of a reintroduction push) keeps it real.

The 70-seat auditorium hosts talks and films, while summer brings Outdoor Skills Academy clinics—think bowhunting or fish prep—run by pros like Benjamin Dietrich. Outside, covered archery and pellet ranges (25 yards max) hum with youth programs. It’s all built with DNR grit and Rotary Club support, honoring Johnson’s vision.

Lakes, Trails, and Wild Calls

The center’s smack in Mitchell State Park, where a historic 1873 canal links two lakes—Mitchell and Cadillac—for boating, kayaking, or fishing walleye and panfish. The 2.5-mile Heritage Nature Trail loops from the doorstep, weaving through woods and marsh with boardwalks and signs calling out deer, herons, and beaver dams. It’s a four-season deal—snowshoe it in winter. Beyond, the park’s 221 campsites, beaches, and Fred Meijer White Pine Trail tie into Cadillac’s wild edge, all framed by Huron-Manistee National Forest sprawl.

Fall colors ignite the pines, spring wakes the wetlands, and summer’s prime for casting off the canal’s shore. No fish tale—this spot’s legit, with over 100 bird species logged, from turkeys to eagles.

Plan Your Visit

The center’s open year-round, with summer hours peaking daily (typically 10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and winter scaling back to weekends or events—call 231-779-1321 to check with Benjamin Dietrich’s crew. A Michigan Recreation Passport gets your vehicle into the park; day passes work too. Licenses for hunting or fishing are available on-site or online. Dig into more at the Michigan DNR website, then roll up M-115 from Cadillac—just 5 minutes from downtown—to dive in.

From aquariums to archery, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center packs Michigan’s outdoor soul into one stop. Hit the trail, cast a line, or soak up the past—Northern Michigan’s waiting.