Lake Cascade
A large, shallow Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on the North Fork Payette River near the town of Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is best known for jumbo yellow perch, especially through the ice, plus trout, smallmouth bass and some kokanee and coho.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Yellow Perch
The marquee fish. Perch catch rates in 2024 were the best since the early 2010s. Jigs tipped with worms, maggots or bloodworms, often through the ice.
Rainbow Trout
Wild and hatchery fish. Often caught about a foot below the ice in winter; trolling or bank bait in open water.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky bottoms near shore. Fish over 19 inches turn up in surveys.
Coho Salmon
Occasional catches, often through the ice near the surface.
Kokanee
Present in surveys; most often caught shallow under the ice or trolling in open water.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Poison CreekFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; camping; ice access, best for trailersDirections ↗
- Boulder CreekFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; ice accessDirections ↗
- Van WyckFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; first-come campingDirections ↗
- Blue HeronFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; first-come campingDirections ↗
- SugarloafFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dockDirections ↗
- ButtercupFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dockDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Cascade are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Tackle Tom'sNearby304 N Main Street, Cascade(208) 382-4367Directions ↗
Local tips
- State park units charge a $7 daily vehicle fee unless you have an Idaho State Parks Passport or annual pass.
- Ice thickness varies across the lake and is often thinner mid-lake; IDFG suggests checking with local tackle shops for conditions.
- Cascade has a reputation for being fickle; since it is shallow, bank fishing with bait can be as good as trolling.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More Idaho lakes
Coeur d'Alene Lake Priest Lake Dworshak Reservoir Blackfoot Reservoir Palisades Reservoir Brownlee Reservoir Lake Lowell Lake Walcott All Idaho lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.