Welcome to Carlisle Lake Park owned and managed by the
​community nonprofit Onalaska Alliance since 2012.

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       Carlisle Lake Park is home to Carlisle Lake, a historic mill pond from Carlisle Mill, circa 1914-1928. Enjoy the fishing, the trails, exercise stations and the developing playground. Observe the fish being raised in the net pens by the Onalaska High School Aquaculture program.
We hope you enjoy your time at Carlisle Lake Park and return to our community again soon.  

Fishing season at Carlisle Lake is OPEN!​

Carlisle Lake fishing is managed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.  
​Statewide fishing regulations apply.  Click HERE for regulations.  
​Onalaska High School Aquaculture Program planted: 
62 10lb, 322 3.15lb, and 4,800 1/2lb Rainbow Trout on May 4, 2020.
Goldendale Fish Hatchery planted: 
30 10lb and 100 5lb Rainbow Trout on Jan 2nd. 
Thank you Kevin Hoffman, Ony HS Aquaculture teacher and students.

Carlisle Lake is a great location for photography!
Bird life is abundant as well as beautiful lake and forest scenes

Thank you to Larry & Bev Gessele of LG Nature Photos for many of these beautiful photos of Carlisle Lake.  See information about Larry's book below, including how to purchase.  

Carlisle Lake Book

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Did you know there's a book filled with beautiful photographs of Carlisle Lake?  Local author and nature photographer, Larry Gessele of LG Nature Photos walks the trail every day around Carlisle Lake, capturing beautiful moments with his camera.  He has compiled a book titled, Carlisle Lake (Through the Years).  It's filled with photographs from each season; Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer including  birds, flowers, lake scenery and wildlife that surrounds the lake.  Many of his photographs are used throughout this website, including those in the slides above.  To purchase a copy of this book, fill out the information form on the Contact Page.  ​https://www.onalaskaalliance.org/contact.html

Carlisle Lake Playground and Day Use Area

In partnership with many community organizations, businesses and volunteers, the Carlisle Lake Playground and Day Use area is coming together. 
The Alpha Better Bets 4-H group has purchased playground equipment through community fundraising.  Swings have been installed and plans for more playground equipment are coming soon.  Northwest Farm Credit has donated funds through their community grant program, as well as many individuals, businesses and volunteers.  Stay tuned as this valuable area for our community develops.  

There's so much to do at Carlisle Lake!
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Courtesy of Holly Larson
FISHING
Do you like to fish? Well, come on down to Carlisle lake. You can use the boat ramp to take your own boat out, or fish from the shore. You can find [all sorts of fish] in the lake. Just be sure to have your state fishing licence!
BIRD WATCHING
Carlisle Lake is home to a staggering amount of wildlife. A big thanks  to Larry and Bev Gessele, resident birdwatchers and photographers, for sharing these photos. Please click HERE to learn more about these two and see more of their amazing photographs!

The Onalaska Alliance takes pride in developing and enhancing the habitat around the lake.
WALKING/RUNNING
Many of our community members enjoy a daily walk or run around the lake. The beautiful scenery and the well maintained trail make for a pleasant experience. 

We also host an annual 5k, The Apple Harvest Fun Run/Walk, in conjuction with our Apple Harvest Festival. Click HERE for more info!
EDUCATION
Carlisle Lake is a great place to learn about the natural habitats of plants, birds, and fish. The Alliance has partnered with the School district through the STEM program and by promoting educational activities and field trips. A few of our students from the science club even wrote a book! To find out more about the Carlisle Lake Field guide, click HERE.

About the Lake

We, the nonprofit organization known Onalaska Alliance (OA) own Carlisle Lake and its surrounding property of 72 acres. We have plans to provide recreational, educational and historical opportunities for our community. 

Onalaska High School aquaculture class uses Carlisle Lake to raise fish in partnership with Department of Fish and Wildlife.  This is a great opportunity for students to get hands on learning, and give them a skill they can take to the work force.  For more information about this program, contact Kevin Hoffman khoffman@onysd.wednet.edu

Onalaska Middle School students conduct water quality testing and monitor the entrance of the lake's inlet creek. Onalaska Student have planted over 1,200 trees around the lake, and youth from the Juvenile Justice Center's work crew have worked had to clear brush and invasive species from the shoreline of Carlisle Lake. These are just a few of the wonderful things that are happening at the lake thanks to the involvement of our community members. 

Onalaska Alliance also partners with the Alpha Better Bits 4-H group to create a playground.  Swings have been installed for community and family use.  Watch for other improvements to this area, as fundraising is ongoing.  

As we look ahead, we have some long-term goals that will help improve our lake property for the benefit of our community members.  Some of the projects are already underway! 

Community partnerships are the key to reaching these goals and making the Carlisle Lake property a beautiful, family-friendly park that we can all enjoy and be proud of. 

Updates

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Courtesy of Spencer's Photos

Public Restrooms

The recently completed bathrooms were provided for through a grant from Lewis County and the craftsmanship of local contractor, Paul Sneed of Sneed Construction.
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Courtesy of Robert Southern, Cross-Country Coach and OSD staff.

Nature Trail

The one mile trail around Carlisle Lake is maintained by community volunteers. This past year though, we had Roy Elliot, of Elliot Construction, and his crew widen the east side of the trail. Thanks the the hard work they put in, we can all enjoy easier access to the lake and more space for running or walking.

Did you know the Lake used to be a mill pond? Here's a little history for you...

According to a Chronicle report given in the Lewis County Advocate in march 1936 the development and progress of Onalaska grew steadily with the Carlisle Lumber Company from 1914 until 1928.

It began to taper off after that time because of the worldwide depression.

There had been 425 people employed in the logging operations alone, which it was estimated directly furnished a livelihood to over 1,500 people.

And even when the lumber business was at its worst in 1931, and for many months following, the operation of the mill continued, supplying work for many employees while hundreds of sawmills all over the country were closed.