Lake Terrell

Five miles west of Ferndale. Fishing opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, and Channel Catfish, and resident Largemouth Bass, Yellow perch, and Brown Bullhead Catfish.

Open to fishing year-round, but fishing from any floating device is prohibited in the fall for migratory waterfowl hunting. See the current Sportfishing Regulations Pamphlet for details.

There is a WDFW access on the west shore that offers shoreline access, a fishing dock, and a boat launch.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Fishing dock at WDFW boat launch, undeveloped shoreline.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Whatcom
Acreage: 321.30 ac.
Elevation: 216 ft.
Center: 48.864092, -122.684882
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: LK TERRELL (WHAT)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Feb 17, 2023	Rainbow	350	0.8	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Feb 15, 2023	Rainbow	350	0.8	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Feb 13, 2023	Rainbow	300	0.8	KENDALL CR HATCHERY
Apr 8, 2021	Rainbow	2,000	2	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
May 1, 2020	Rainbow	2,530	2.2	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
Apr 9, 2019	Rainbow	2,000	1.95	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
Mar 29, 2018	Rainbow	2,000	2	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY
May 9, 2017	Rainbow	800	0.67	TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
May 3, 2016	Rainbow	656	0.67	TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Apr 22, 2016	Rainbow	1,000	1.8	BELLINGHAM HATCHERY

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.

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.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.