2026 KFNW Tour Event 3

June 27 | Lake Cascade, ID

Lake Cascade — formally known as Cascade Reservoir — sits at 4,830 feet above sea level in the Long Valley of Valley County, Idaho, roughly 70 miles north of Boise along Highway 55. Built by the Bureau of Reclamation on the North Fork of the Payette River, the earthen dam was completed in 1948, and the federal name was updated to Lake Cascade in 1999. It is the fourth largest lake in the state of Idaho.

The reservoir is relatively shallow for its size, with an average depth of 26 feet and a maximum depth of 86 feet. Its varied structure — submerged timber, rocky points, numerous inlets, riprap banks, and underwater drop-offs — supports both warm- and cold-water species side by side, a rarity at this elevation. Smallmouth bass are the primary black bass target, gravitating to rocky shorelines and deeper structure, while largemouth bass occupy the shallower, weedier flats along the margins. Both species are present and counted in a combined bag limit. Beyond bass, the lake holds a rich mix of forage and gamefish including yellow perch, black crappie, kokanee salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed, channel catfish, and tiger muskie — making for one of the most diverse fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. Yellow perch are particularly abundant and serve as the primary forage base for all predators in the lake.

Boundaries for this event feature approximately 25,600 acres of water and 69 miles of shoreline.

Qualifier for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic and the West Coast Championship

Top 10% of the field qualifies for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic on October 3-4 on the Columbia River (Lake Bonneville).
Top 25% of the field qualifies for the West Coast Championship on August 21-22.

Last time we visited Cascade: August 3, 2023

We had 24 anglers and 51 fish were submitted. TJ Osojniocki (Boise, ID) took first with 85.25 inches, including a 19 inch largemouth kicker. Luke Loper (McCall, ID) took second place with 76.75 inches and an 18.75 inch smallmouth kicker. Michael Mumford (Nampa, ID) took third with 74.25 inches and an 16.5 inch smallmouth kicker. Big Bass of the day also went to Osojnicki with that 19 inch largemouth.

IKBF Tour Event 4 – Lake Cascade – 1st Place and Big Bass – TJ Osojnicki

Tournament Schedule

All times are Mountain Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM through Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Registration Deadline

Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Late registration is available on a limited basis, and is first-come, first-served. There is a $10 service fee for late registration.

Official Practice Period

Saturday, June 20, 2026 through Friday, June 26, 2026
6:00 AM – Practice Launch / Lines In
2:00 PM – Practice Lines Out / Off the Water

Friday – June 26, 2026

6:00 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | Kelly’s Whitewater Park
10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released

Saturday – June 27, 2026

5:00 AM to 5:30 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie
- Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
5:25 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
5:30 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
5:59 AM – Sunrise
6:00 AM – Lines In
2:00:00 PM – Lines Out
3:00 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water
- Cell Service on Water: Good/Spotty
- Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.
4:00:00 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | Kelly’s Whitewater Park
Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

Pre-Event Briefing

Pre-Event Briefing and Awards Location

Kelly’s Whitewater Park
We should be set up in the empty gravel lot southeast of the park entrance.
330 Kelly’s Pkwy, Cascade, ID 83611
https://maps.app.goo.gl/faeJnEfnNAH5YXFZA

Pre-Event Briefing Details

Before the Pre-Event Briefing, a video will be published to go over specific details for this Tour Event. Certain rules may be discussed, but we will not review all the rules. It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and know all rules as published in the Rules Standard.
A signed hard copy of the Liability Release is required by all competitors for each Event. You can download the Liability Release in advance and bring the completed form (download below).
Electric Motor Inspection form is required for any competitor with a DIY or non-standard motor setup. If you have a non-standard setup, contact the Tournament Director to see if an inspection is necessary.
Certified bump board is required and board check will be performed. Boards should be clean and dry.
Competitors will have the opportunity to ask any questions before the meeting is adjourned.
Attendance at the Pre-Event Briefing is mandatory. If you can’t attend the meeting due to work or an unavoidable obligation, another angler can bring your Liability Release and bump board on your behalf. This solely the responsibility of the two competitors and no exceptions will be given.

Location Details

Idaho Regulations and Links

An Idaho fishing license is required (temporary or annual) – Visit IDFG
Watercraft registration is required for motorized watercraft (residents only) – Visit Idaho Parks & Rec
Watercraft (residents and non-residents) need an Invasive Species Sticker – Visit Idaho Parks & Rec or a Participating Vendor
To be exempt, watercraft need to meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Less than 10ft in length
- Non-motorized
- Inflatable

Eligible Water Boundaries

Main body of water
North boundary shown in map above
Gold Fork River boundary shown in map above
Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds
Portaging is not permitted
Only public waters are allowed

Designated Launch Locations

Google Maps Link >
Blue Heron Campground Boat Ramp (improved)
Boulder Creek Day Use Area and Boat Ramp (improved)
Buttercup Boat Ramp (improved)
Campbell Creek Boat Ramp (improved)
City Of Donnelly Boat Ramp (improved)
French Creek Boat Docks (semi-improved)
Lake Cascade Boat Access (improved)
Poison Creek Campground Boat Ramp (improved)
Rainbow Point Boat Ramp (improved)
Sugarloaf Campground (improved)
No other launches are allowed

Safety Notes

An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.