Lake Cavanaugh

Ten miles northeast of Arlington, about a mile north of the Snohomish County line. Fishing opportunities include stocked Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Rainbow Trout and resident Largemouth Bass. The WDFW access site is located on the southwest shore and has a boat launch and toilet.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - WDFW access only

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Skagit
Acreage: 833.30 ac.
Elevation: 1012 ft.
Center: 48.320798, -122.009522
Open in Google Maps

View larger map

Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: LK CAVANAUGH (SKAG)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
May 22, 2007	Rainbow	1,017	1.1	TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.