CASCADE RIVER Pike Lake Rd - Cty 45 SALMON: Pink salmon are common in Lake BY JOE SHEAD FISHERIES OVERVIEW: “It’s got a steel- Superior and they have gained a quiet follow- head run and a fall pink salmon run,” Weberg WHY GO: The Cascade River flows through ing on North Shore streams. “That fishery says. “It gets the occasional coho and Chinook some of the most gorgeous country in Minne- seems to be increasing in popularity over the salmon. I also see some Lake Superior brook sota. As its name suggests, numerous water- last five to 10 years,” Weberg notes. He adds Cardinal Rd trout as well. It’s a large-enough stream where falls line this fast-dropping river. In addition to that the Cascade River is one of the most pop- it can attract most species from Lake Superior.” some amazing scenery, anglers will be treated ular pink salmon destinations. “It gets a pretty to some great trout and salmon fishing. BROOK TROUT: Brook trout predominate in good run in some years,” he says. “There’s a the middle sections, from Cascade River State little bit of a run every year, but some years ACCESS: The easiest place to access the Cas- cade River is at Cascade River State Park, right Park, upstream to Thompson Falls. “We usual- are better than others.” Up until 1995, the along Highway 61. This is the most popular ly sample fair to high numbers of brook trout DNR stocked Chinook salmon in the Cascade stretch of river with anglers because lake-run from 6 to 8 inches, but it’s not uncommon to River, and it was a popular fishery. Minnesota trout and salmon can only swim 100 yards be- see some surpassing 10 inches,” Weberg says. no longer stocks Chinooks, but the wayward fore they encounter the first waterfall. Other “It’s definitely been one of our more popular Chinook and coho still end up in the Cascade road crossings provide access as well. Matthew inland brook trout streams.” Weberg says the on occasion. river is deep enough and has enough flow for Weberg, assistant area fisheries supervisor in COOLWATER FISH: In its upper reaches, fish to both overwinter and survive the sum- Grand Marais, says the intersection of Bally above Thompson Falls, the Cascade River mer heat. The lower section, upstream to the Creek Road and Devil Track Road is a good flows through several lakes, and species such first waterfall, also gets lake-run or “coaster” place to try. The DNR has done stream im- as northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow brook trout. These lake-run brookies grow provement projects here, which have created perch and walleyes swim from the lakes and Superior HIking Trail large. In fact, they are protected by a 20-inch cover and deep holes for fish. Anglers can also into the river, although they are not widely size limit below the first waterfall. gain access where Cascade River Road crosses targeted outside the lakes. the river. STEELHEAD: Steelhead attract a lot of anglers SEASONAL TIMING: Weberg notes that during their spring spawning run. Although VITALS: The river runs 17 miles from its head- steelhead fishing is popular in the spring and the section from Lake Superior upstream to waters in the Boundary Waters to Lake Supe- pink salmon angling is popular in the fall Cascade River the first waterfall is relatively short, Weberg rior. Along the way, it passes through more from Lake Superior up to the first waterfall. State Park says this stretch has some good spawning hab- than 20 lakes. The root beer-colored water gets If you’re after brookies above the first barrier, itat. “Below the falls, there’s actually a decent its coloration from the wetlands the river runs Weberg recommends fishing in May, June or run that has some pretty good spawning habi- through. Weberg says the water is stained by September. During the heat of summer, fish tat of small to medium-sized cobble,” he says. Hwy 61 tannic acid in decaying wetland plants. are stressed and they retreat to cool tributaries Steelhead fry had been stocked in the river up to ride out the heat. Parking Lake Superior GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Brook trout, until 2016, but it was thought these stocked steelhead, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, pink fish contributed little to the fishery and the View all our salmon, northern pike, walleyes, perch and program was discontinued. Fishing Hole Maps at: smallmouth bass. northernwilds.com/fishingholemaps