Cascade Lake, ID/Ice Fishing

[Machias]

I booked an ice fishing trip for the wife and I down on Cascade Lake, ID for 15 Jan 2024.  Can't wait to finally fish that lake!!

[deadyote]

We are headed to that lake next summer with some friends.  Such a cool area.  Love ice fishing up here, so should have a blast on that trip and some dandy perch are in that lake also

[Happy Gilmore]

Never ice fished there but, get to Cascade often. I love the area. State Park campground is as nice as they come with paved spots and nice bathrooms/showers. Not sure it's open in the winter. The other campground on the lake is so so

[LDennis24]

Those fat Perch sound so delicious! Here's my cousin and his buddies on a trip down there. He's a fishing guide and does some cool YouTube videos. Enjoy the trip!

[Southpole]

I booked an ice fishing trip for the wife and I down on Cascade Lake, ID for 15 Jan 2024.  Can't wait to finally fish that lake!!

Who is taking you out? We’ve iced fished it twice, missed last year. It’s a blast especially if you can get a good school of perch going on under you, might get some monster trout too. January is a great time to go, you just need to get there before mid to late February when the blood worm hatch occurs which makes catching anything challenging. I’d be surprised the state park would be open for camping, the snow build up and temperatures would make for difficult maintenance.

[boneaddict]

Sounds like a blast.   No idea what their weather has been like. Feels like Sept everywhere I’ve been. I hope you get some ice!

[Machias]

I booked an ice fishing trip for the wife and I down on Cascade Lake, ID for 15 Jan 2024.  Can't wait to finally fish that lake!!

Who is taking you out? We’ve iced fished it twice, missed last year. It’s a blast especially if you can get a good school of perch going on under you, might get some monster trout too. January is a great time to go, you just need to get there before mid to late February when the blood worm hatch occurs which makes catching anything challenging. I’d be surprised the state park would be open for camping, the snow build up and temperatures would make for difficult maintenance.

Christopher Weber

[Machias]

Those fat Perch sound so delicious! Here's my cousin and his buddies on a trip down there. He's a fishing guide and does some cool YouTube videos. Enjoy the trip!

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[Southpole]

Well I was wrong on the camping

[C-Money]

Have a great time!

[Machias]

We got a AirBnB

[Southpole]

We got a AirBnB

Good choice, be comfortable.

[Machias]

Well bummer the Cascade Lake trip has been cancelled.  Maybe next year! 

[Rob]

I assume due to lack of ice? 

I know only the super shallow stuff is frozen up here.

Wierd year.

[Southpole]

Well bummer the Cascade Lake trip has been cancelled.  Maybe next year! 

That is unfortunate. Sorry to hear that

[Machias]

I assume due to lack of ice? 

I know only the super shallow stuff is frozen up here.

Wierd year.

That is a small part of it.  Scheduling issues as well.  I WILL make it down there. 

[Rob]

Bummer!

[Southpole]

Might be a blessing in disguise with a slow start with ice build up.

[Southpole]

Just talked to a guy that’s on Cascade right now and there’s 7” inches finally.

[CoryTDF]

I assume due to lack of ice? 

I know only the super shallow stuff is frozen up here.

Wierd year.

That is a small part of it.  Scheduling issues as well.  I WILL make it down there. 

Heading there in a couple weeks for my 5th year. I will spend 10 days fishing it and Payette for big lakers. We typically do really well on Cascade with my PB is a 17'' 2.8LB perch. 

Here are my tips for you:

1) You really don't NEED a guide. Use a good map and fish structure and you will be on fish.
2) Make sure you have good rubber boots because the slush can be brutal!
3) Don't waste money on all the gimmick lures and jigs. Tingler spoons and small perch pattern Frost Bite Tantrums or the like. Hali jigs if they are being picky.
4) Don't be afraid to move. If you're not on fish, go find them.
5) If you want big trout, fish shallow or middle of column
6)  Buy, or make, some Jaw Jackers- They work and you will catch fish on them. You get 5 rods per person, use them!
7) Most important step- Stop buy Tackle Toms and spend some money. They are great guys and it's nice to support them.

I sure hope you find a way to get there this year. If not, good luck to you next year! Pray you don't hit the chironomidae larva hatch. If you do, or you hear that it's happening, you should expect fishing to suck butt.

[Woodchuck]

FWIW.

[Southpole]

Cousin fished it a few days ago, pretty sloppy and wet. 45 degrees there today but looks like it’s going to gradually get colder through the week. I think we’re going to pass on going this year. The way the weather is here at home thinking on busting the boat out pretty soon  .

[TommyH]

I assume due to lack of ice? 

I know only the super shallow stuff is frozen up here.

Wierd year.

That is a small part of it.  Scheduling issues as well.  I WILL make it down there. 

Heading there in a couple weeks for my 5th year. I will spend 10 days fishing it and Payette for big lakers. We typically do really well on Cascade with my PB is a 17'' 2.8LB perch. 

Here are my tips for you:

1) You really don't NEED a guide. Use a good map and fish structure and you will be on fish.
2) Make sure you have good rubber boots because the slush can be brutal!
3) Don't waste money on all the gimmick lures and jigs. Tingler spoons and small perch pattern Frost Bite Tantrums or the like. Hali jigs if they are being picky.
4) Don't be afraid to move. If you're not on fish, go find them.
5) If you want big trout, fish shallow or middle of column
6)  Buy, or make, some Jaw Jackers- They work and you will catch fish on them. You get 5 rods per person, use them!
7) Most important step- Stop buy Tackle Toms and spend some money. They are great guys and it's nice to support them.

I sure hope you find a way to get there this year. If not, good luck to you next year! Pray you don't hit the chironomidae larva hatch. If you do, or you hear that it's happening, you should expect fishing to suck butt.

How did you do on the lakers? Macks are a new personal favorite to target for me.

[CoryTDF]

I assume due to lack of ice? 

I know only the super shallow stuff is frozen up here.

Wierd year.

That is a small part of it.  Scheduling issues as well.  I WILL make it down there. 

Heading there in a couple weeks for my 5th year. I will spend 10 days fishing it and Payette for big lakers. We typically do really well on Cascade with my PB is a 17'' 2.8LB perch. 

Here are my tips for you:

1) You really don't NEED a guide. Use a good map and fish structure and you will be on fish.
2) Make sure you have good rubber boots because the slush can be brutal!
3) Don't waste money on all the gimmick lures and jigs. Tingler spoons and small perch pattern Frost Bite Tantrums or the like. Hali jigs if they are being picky.
4) Don't be afraid to move. If you're not on fish, go find them.
5) If you want big trout, fish shallow or middle of column
6)  Buy, or make, some Jaw Jackers- They work and you will catch fish on them. You get 5 rods per person, use them!
7) Most important step- Stop buy Tackle Toms and spend some money. They are great guys and it's nice to support them.

I sure hope you find a way to get there this year. If not, good luck to you next year! Pray you don't hit the chironomidae larva hatch. If you do, or you hear that it's happening, you should expect fishing to suck butt.

How did you do on the lakers? Macks are a new personal favorite to target for me.

Sadly, the ice on Payette was unsafe so I could not go after lakers. Cascade treated me nice. Lots of jumbos and big trout.