Lake Cavanaugh Fish Stocking
Skagit County, Washington · 1997–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Cavanaugh was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout. Lake Cavanaugh has 89 stocking records on file, spanning 1997–2026, with about 1,893,634 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Cavanaugh is stocked
Lake Cavanaugh is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in June — 24 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Cavanaugh
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Skagit County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Cavanaugh, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Lake Cavanaugh was last stocked May 19, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Washington freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Washington license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Washington fish & wildlife agency.Official Washington regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Lake Cavanaugh:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Cavanaugh
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Cavanaugh, freshest activity first.
Gee Point Lake
11 miSkagit County · 1 species · 11 records
Last stocked June 2026
Riley Lake
6 miSnohomish County · 2 species · 47 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lake Armstrong
8 miSnohomish County · 2 species · 76 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lake Mcmurray
10 miSkagit County · 2 species · 119 records
Last stocked April 2026
Shelf Lake
12 miSkagit County · 1 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2025
Gordon Lake
7 miSkagit County · 1 species · 8 records
Last stocked July 2024
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2025 | Kokanee | 13,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 2025 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 16, 2025 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 19,587 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 20,567 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 16, 2024 | Kokanee | 14,846 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,915 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2023 | Kokanee | 19,562 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2023 | Kokanee | 19,531 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2023 | Kokanee | 13,407 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,650 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2022 | Kokanee | 40,380 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,975 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 2021 | Kokanee | 50,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 17, 2020 | Kokanee | 35,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2019 | Kokanee | 19,308 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2019 | Kokanee | 19,145 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2019 | Kokanee | 18,958 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2019 | Kokanee | 124,956 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2018 | Kokanee | 29,766 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,785 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 2017 | Kokanee | 39,981 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,942 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 12, 2016 | Kokanee | 29,197 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,998 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2015 | Kokanee | 24,242 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,058 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2014 | Kokanee | 32,243 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2014 | Kokanee | 32,229 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2014 | Kokanee | 32,232 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 10,005 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,232 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,020 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2013 | Kokanee | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 10,605 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,004 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 12, 2012 | Kokanee | 39,198 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,160 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 10,152 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 10,020 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,992 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,320 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 89 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Cavanaugh last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Cavanaugh was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Cavanaugh?
Lake Cavanaugh is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Lake Cavanaugh stocked?
Lake Cavanaugh is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in June.
How often is Lake Cavanaugh stocked?
Lake Cavanaugh has been stocked about 3 times a year — 89 recorded stockings between 1997 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Cavanaugh?
About 1,893,634 fish have been stocked in Lake Cavanaugh across 89 recorded events since 1997, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Cavanaugh?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Washington freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Washington fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Lake Cavanaugh?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Cavanaugh typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.