EXPLORE WILDLIFE IN MANISTEE COUNTY

YOUR HUNTING TRIP STARTS HERE!

Explore Manistee County’s wildlife and the nature that surrounds them. Here you’ll find all the resources you need to make it happen.

Hunting Seasons

Leave No Trace

Hunting Public Land

DNR

Where to Buy Licenses

Purchase DNR elicense

HELPFUL HUNTING TIPS

Tips for processing your deer

Top 10 hunting violations during firearm deer season

Safety Reminders

Hunters Safety Certificate

Follow the travelers that love Manistee County, enjoy these stories about our incredible outdoor recreation, things-to-do, dining, shopping and unique experiences you will ONLY find here.

Browse our latest #MyManistee perspectives here, or scroll through these top stories in your category.

Big M’s Outer Loop

by Sherri | February 24, 2021 | Adventure Sports, Featured, First Time Visitors, Outdoors, Trails, What To Do, Winter, Winter Trails & Slopes | 0 Comments

Where we gonna ride today, Dyl? Today we are riding the Outer Loop at Big M! The outer loop is about 15 miles and depending on the conditions of the day, can take anywhere from just under 2 hours, to up to three and a half or more if conditions are like below! The...

Winter River Fishing in Manistee

by Manistee VB | November 22, 2025 | Fishing & Hunting, Guided Tours, Outdoors, Rivers & Paddling, Seasons, Winter, Winter Alt Campaign | 0 Comments

River fishing the waterways of Manistee County provides an experience rich with stunning scenic landscapes and abundant nature during every season of the year, including the winter months. The frozen riverbeds and snow-covered trees create a serene backdrop for a day...

Snowshoeing the Trails of Manistee

by Manistee VB | November 22, 2022 | Outdoors, Seasons, Winter, Winter Alt Campaign, Winter Trails & Slopes | 0 Comments

The same trails that beckon summertime travelers, offer a different deep woods experience when the snow falls. Whether you are up for a big adventure or just want to give it a try, Manistee County is the perfect destination to enjoy a peaceful trek by snowshoe...

The Piper Inspires Arcadia Bluffs & Manistee County

by Maralee Cook | May 25, 2016 | Golf Resorts, Golfing, Summer | 0 Comments

Picture this. You’re relaxing with friends on the patio at Arcadia Bluffs Lodge, enjoying the warm sunlight softened by the pastel hues that signal the sunset to come. As you gaze westward toward Lake Michigan, you spot the Scottish bagpiper in full...

XC Skiing Adventure on the Big M

by Manistee VB | November 22, 2022 | Outdoors, Seasons, Winter, Winter Alt Campaign, Winter Trails & Slopes | 0 Comments

Bike. Ski. Trek. With a rich history dating back to the 1950s, the Big M Recreation Area offers almost 40 miles of trails winding through the Manistee National Forest featuring terrain carved through the hardwoods to challenge all skill levels. This popular groomed...

Dark Skies and Northern Lights

by Sherri | December 15, 2020 | Outdoors, Uncategorized, Winter, Winter 24-25 blog | 0 Comments

Manistee National Forest/Big-M: Just off M-55 between Wellston & Manistee the Big-M Recreation Area offers you a beautiful opportunity to experience the clear skies like never before. Big-M is a great spot since it is close to the communities, but in the heart of...

Waterways Of Manistee County

by Manistee VB | November 16, 2025 | Adventure Sports, First Time Visitors, Outdoors, Rivers & Paddling, Summer, Uncategorized, What To Do | 0 Comments

Paddling Adventure Abounds From casual floats to overnight adventures, the rivers and lakes of Manistee County offer year-round access for exploring waterways of our region.Big Manistee With open water year-round on the Big Manistee River, paddling adventure abounds...

Fishing the Lakes & Rivers of Manistee

by Manistee VB | April 18, 2025 | Fishing & Hunting, Outdoors, Rivers & Paddling, Uncategorized, What To Do | 0 Comments

Fresh Water Fishing at Its Best! Whether you prefer casting on a serene river or prefer a big lake charter, every season of the year brings big fishing adventure in #MyManistee.On the Lakes Lake Michigan Imagine yourself sitting at the bow of a boat, wind in...

Piloting a Freighter through the Manistee River Channel

by Maralee Cook | June 1, 2016 | Boating & Harbors, Conversations, Spring | 1 Comment

Photos by: Chris Franckowiak From April through December, and sometimes into January, massive Great Lakes freighters will visit the port of Manistee, delighting residents and visitors, who will line the banks of the river channel to watch in awe and...

Immerse Yourself in the History of Manistee

by Manistee VB | April 4, 2022 | Bed & Breakfasts, Historic Tours, Hotels, Local History, Must See Manistee, Self Guided Tours, Spring, Tours | 0 Comments

In 2018, in collaboration with the Manistee County Historical Museum and with funding through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the Manistee County Visitor’s Bureau introduced a comprehensive tour of the historic sites spanning the...

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