Cascade Reservoir Fishing
A 27,152-acre Idaho reservoir in Valley County.
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An opening look at Cascade Reservoir
Spread over 27,152 acres, Cascade Reservoir sits in Valley County by the Planner figure. Regional biologists of the IDFG Southwest Region (McCall subregion) oversee it. Cascade, some 5 miles distant, is the nearest town. IDFG location note: Flows into the North Fork Payette River. IDFG tags it a Recommended Fishing Water.
Boaters can pick from 3 launch sites in the IDFG, BLM and Forest Service data. 789 stocking records appear on its Planner page, the oldest from 1968. The facility line reads: boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities.
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (water page), read November 7, 2026. Census 2020 places.
Game fish IDFG recommends at Cascade Reservoir
Fish tied to Cascade Reservoir in IDFG data, recommended game fish first:
IDFG sampling results for Cascade Reservoir
- Black Bullheadsurvey 2026
- Black Crappiesurvey 2026
- Catostomus sp.survey 2026
- Coho Salmonsurvey 2026
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2026
- Mountain Whitefishsurvey 2026
- Northern Pikeminnowsurvey 2026
- Pumpkinseedsurvey 2026
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 2026
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2026
- Yellow Perchsurvey 2026
- Bluegillsurvey 2025
- Kokaneesurvey 2025
- Tiger Troutsurvey 2025
- Walleyesurvey 2025
- Largescale Suckersurvey 2023
Not every surveyed fish is a game fish.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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- Campbell Creek Boat Ramp on Cascade Reservoirboating – motorized, ramp, USDA Forest Service
- French Creek Boat Docks boat ramp on Cascade Reservoirboating – motorized, ramp, USDA Forest Service
- Rainbow Point Boating boat ramp on Cascade Reservoirboating – motorized, ramp, USDA Forest Service
Launch sites a short haul from Cascade Reservoir
- Horsethief Reservoir boat rampHorsethief Reservoir, 10 miles east
- Herrick Reservoir boat rampHerrick Reservoir, 14 miles southeast
The Planner lists no motor restriction here.
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer, BLM Idaho recreation site points and USDA Forest Service recreation opportunities (EDW), read November 7, 2026.
Hatchery fish added to Cascade Reservoir
IDFG lists 789 releases into Cascade Reservoir (1968 to 2026); recent ones follow.
- Coho SalmonCoho Salmon, 139,000 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), June 17, 2026
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 24,976 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 7, 2026
- Coho SalmonCoho Salmon, 172,550 fish, Fry (0-3 inches), June 19, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 76,582 fish, Fry (0-3 inches), June 5, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 14,418 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 29, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 21,690 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 12, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 9,880 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), May 12, 2025
- Coho SalmonCoho Salmon, 136,969 fish, Fry (0-3 inches), June 13, 2024
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 4,200 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 28, 2024
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 6,160 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 23, 2024
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner page (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
Keeping fish at Cascade Reservoir
| Group | Region rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 12 inches |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout |
| Bull Trout | Bull Trout – catch-and-release |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 6 |
| Salmon | Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures; Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here; Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam) |
| Steelhead | Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar); Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically open |
| Sturgeon | Sturgeon – catch-and-release; Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing; Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required. See fishing regulations for details |
| Tiger Muskie | Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
| Trout | Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| Whitefish | Whitefish limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish |
| Protected Nongame Fish | May not be harvested or possessed |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length, or possession limits |
Cascade Reservoir follows the IDFG Southwest Region limits unless its own rules say otherwise.
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Southwest Region, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026.
Fishing license fees as set in Idaho Code 36-416 (statute; IDFG sale prices add vendor and processing fees), read November 7, 2026.
Gem State records landed in Cascade Reservoir
| Species | Size | Category | Water as printed | Caught | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhead Catfish | 17 inches | catch-and-release (length) | Lake Cascade | 2026-09-05 | source |
Idaho state record fish, read November 8, 2026.
Cascade Reservoir on the Idaho club and derby calendar
Each sourced Cascade Reservoir event appears on its own page.
Cascade Reservoir next to nearby lakes
Horsethief Reservoir leads this group on size, 258 acres by the Planner.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Reservoir | 27,152 | Southwest Region | 9 | 3 | |
| Davis Reservoir | 6 miles southeast | 66 | Southwest Region | 0 | 0 |
| Horsethief Reservoir | 10 miles east | 258 | Southwest Region | 3 | 1 |
| Corral Creek Reservoir | 11 miles southeast | 31 | Southwest Region | 1 | 0 |
| Herrick Reservoir | 14 miles southeast | 37 | Southwest Region | 2 | 1 |
| Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County) | 16 miles south | 232 | Southwest Region | 1 | 3 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
A short hop from Cascade Reservoir
More Idaho lakes and reservoirs around Cascade Reservoir
- Davis Reservoir6 miles southeast
- Horsethief Reservoir10 miles east
- Corral Creek Reservoir11 miles southeast
- Herrick Reservoir14 miles southeast
- Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County)16 miles south
Stores to hit before Cascade Reservoir
- Tackle Tom'sbait and tackle shop, Cascade, 4 miles
- Tamarack Marinamarina, Tamarack, 8 miles
- Mountain Marine Constructionmarina, McCall, 20 miles
- Hi-Per Sports Incmarina, Mccall, 23 miles
- Mile High Marinamarina, McCall, 24 miles
- Valley Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cascade
Towns a reasonable drive from Cascade Reservoir
- Cascade5 miles
- McCall24 miles
County guides that cover Cascade Reservoir
- Valley Countyseat: Cascade
Piscifun tackle lined up for a day on Cascade Reservoir
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Benchland and bank around Cascade Reservoir, seen through a lens
Photo: Thayne Tuason, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Charles Knowles, CC BY 2.0
Loose ends to tie up before Cascade Reservoir
Which county lines cross Cascade Reservoir?
Head for Valley County, about 5 miles from Cascade.
How many acres is Cascade Reservoir?
Roughly 27,152 acres.
Where do I launch a trailered boat at Cascade Reservoir?
3 launch sites, including Campbell Creek Boat Ramp on Cascade Reservoir.
Which game fish does IDFG recommend at Cascade Reservoir?
IDFG points anglers to bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, kokanee, largemouth bass, coho salmon, yellow perch and mountain whitefish.
Is there a size limit on fish kept at Cascade Reservoir?
Under the IDFG Southwest Region block: Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately. Kokanee: Kokanee limit is 6.
Where do I buy a license before Cascade Reservoir?
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
How often is Cascade Reservoir stocked?
The Planner lists 789 rows, latest Coho Salmon, 139,000 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), June 17, 2026.
Which tackle counter on our Idaho list serves Cascade Reservoir?
Closest on our list: Tackle Tom's, about 4 miles away.
Does IDFG credit Cascade Reservoir with a record?
IDFG announced a catch-and-release (length) record for Bullhead Catfish at 17 inches (Lake Cascade), caught 2026-09-05; anglers are not named here.
Gas up and head for Cascade Reservoir
Buy the Idaho license before the drive.