Cascade Lake in Dillingham Census Area: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Dillingham Census Area entry here is Cascade Lake, in Alaska. The water sits 1,772 feet up. At some 677 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. Around 6.1 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. On size it sits at the modest end of our Dillingham Census Area list. The closest town, Dillingham, is 83 miles away. Bethel is 92 miles and Chevak 229 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Cascade Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Dillingham Census Area include sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden and Chum salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Cascade Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 12°F and July at about 50°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Winter locks it down, and late May brings it back. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late May and starts locking again about late October. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Cascade Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Gold Lake, 5.8 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing here settles the position at Cascade Lake for certain.