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A picturesque and good fishing lake, Cascade Lake on Orcas Island in
San Juan County is a gem in Moran State Park.
Its 171 acres range from depths of 5' to nearly 80'. This primarily
mountain stream-fed lake is good habitat for both trout and
bass. Elevation 346'.
It is also the water supply for the Rosario housing community so no
gasoline motors are allowed. Electric only. The lake has only one
house on its shores, that
belonging to the Park Service itself. There are a few State Park
campsites along the south shore. The shoreline is heavily treed and
has natural vegetation.
The bottom is primarily muck with good weed growth, (cabbage and
other) though there are a few areas with hard pan bottom like in the
northwest and southwest far corners. There are a few areas of
toullies and lilly pads in the lagoon and numerous fallen trees or
overhanging branches. There are also several neat terraced rock
outcroppings that extend into the water on the west side. One is at
the right side entrance to the lagoon (a neat boat ride under the
wooden footbridge) and deeper into the lagoon (also a locals'
swimming hole) on the right hand side. On the northwest side of the
lake one will find sheer cliffs, which extend underwater and present
the deepest depths of the lake.
Trout species include cutthroat, rainbow and kokanee (landlocked
silvers). The State stocks this lake regularly. (Thanks!)
20" trouts are somewhat common. Trolling deeper in spring and summer
(25-40' ) will often produce the kokanee. A fall kokanee ready to
spawn shows off spectacular red, silver and black coloration. Power
bait, road runners, wedding ring lures, spoons and deep diving bass
plugs also will produce rainbows and cutthroats. Fly fishermen are
often seen enjoying Cascade as they row and troll Wooley-Buggers.
Cascade sports a growing, promising and fun large mouth bass
fishery. In the last five years, LMB to five pounds have been caught
and released, so they can grow even bigger. However, numerous 8-12"
fish are common. Crankbaits and assorted lures produce bass.
The pumpkinseed fish are not overly abundant, nor large but can be caught.
There is a fishing dock (near the swim beach) which is placed by a
known "trout hole" and persons are also seen sitting along the road
leading to the boat launch fishing the riprap shoreline on the
East/Northeast side of the lake. The entire lake is circumvented
with a walking trail. One can walk all the way around and fish on
either side of the walk bridge on the west side or drive to the back
side of the lagoon, off Cascade Way and walk in to the footbridge and
fish either side of the mouth to the lagoon from the shoreline
points. Near the swim beach, if the vendor is open, one can rent
small row boats or peddle boats.
There is parking at the public boat launch for approximately 8
vehicles. If most bring trailers then parking can be tricky. Also
if the local freshwater kayak tours/schools are present, they will
take up part of the shore by the launch and 1-3 parking spaces. The
launch is paved and is corrugated concrete underwater and not very
steep. The lake level drops 2-4" each summer and depending on one's
boat and trailer, you may have back in to the water well past the
concrete and truck tires will be on the gravel bottom out past the
launch pad itself.
Cascade is a beautiful, quiet lake with fun fishing.
Trout species as well as large mouth bass.
Cascade also holds some pumpkinseed sunfish.
By Karen Key Speck
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