Cascade Lake

This picturesque lake is located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, 3.5 miles southeast of East Sound. Stocked Rainbow Trout are abundant. Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Largemouth Bass (recent, unauthorized introduction) are also present. Shoreline access, a trailer boat launch at Midway Campground, and boat rentals are available.

This lake is the only water in San Juan County managed with a seasonal fishing closure. Spring catch rates for trout are highest early in the season and decline as fish are harvested and as warmer water temperatures force trout to seek areas of colder refuge. Fall is often overlooked by anglers, but can be an ideal time as fish that have been growing all summer become more active around the lake with cooler temperatures.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Moran State Park

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: San Juan
Acreage: 175.80 ac.
Elevation: 355 ft.
Center: 48.651621, -122.855573
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: CASCADE LK (SAN)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 9, 2024	Rainbow	295	2.9	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Apr 9, 2024	Rainbow	6,477	2.9	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2023	Rainbow	3,138	2.5	ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2023	Rainbow	3,060	2.9	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Apr 20, 2021	Rainbow	3,473	2.3	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
May 27, 2020	Rainbow	1,908	1.8	ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2019	Rainbow	4,000	1.9	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2018	Rainbow	6,132	2	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
Mar 20, 2017	Rainbow	6,127	1.9	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
Apr 20, 2016	Rainbow	6,000	1.8	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.