The Tennant Lake Unit is comprised of mostly floodplain of the Nooksack River. Tennant Lake is an 80-acre, shallow, peat-bog lake. Both the lake and Claypit Pond, a half-mile south of the lake, are bounded by extensive swamp/marsh areas. The unit was primarily managed for waterfowl and deer hunting, and spiny-ray fishing, but now offers an interpretive center and scent garden for the blind, an observation tower, an upland interpretive trail, an elevated, wetland boardwalk trail, 3 hunting blinds, and a boat launch on the Nooksack River. These improvements provide important recreational and educational opportunities for school districts and other visitors.
The Tennant Lake Unit is located 1 mile southeast of Ferndale in Whatcom County. The unit can be accessed from Neilsen Road, off of Hovander Road, off of Main Street out of Ferndale.
The Tennant Lake Unit lies close to Puget Sound just south of the Canadian border. It is located between the Fraser and Skagit rivers, and between the largest estuaries in the Willamette Valley - Puget Trough - Georgia Basin ecoregion.
This unit is part of the Whatcom Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 407
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Developed parking area
- ADA restroom
- Trails
- Boardwalk
- Boat launch
- Hunting blinds
- Informational and sign-in kiosk
- Scent garden
- Viewing tower
Recreation and access advisories
- Boardwalk is closed during hunting season.
- Closed during hours of darkness.
- Dogs are NOT allowed on boardwalk. See kiosk for other information about dogs.
Hunting
Hunting is restricted to the 3 existing waterfowl blinds on Tennant Lake. A sign-in kiosk is located at the lake access channel.
Hunting advisories
- A Game Reserve is established on this unit (WAC 220-411-130). Game Reserves are CLOSED AREAS where hunting and trapping for all wild animals and wild birds is prohibited (RCW 77.12.047).
- Maps for all hunting areas are posted at the WDFW Lake Terrell headquarters parking lot, and unit maps are at the Marine Drive, Slater Road, and Intalco parking lots.
- Shotgun use ONLY. Pistol and rifle shooting are NOT allowed. It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040).
Fishing
This unit provides boat access to the Nooksack River.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes Tennant Lake, Claypit Pond, and a swamp/marsh wetland, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including over 150 species of birds.
A 50-foot viewing tower gives visitors an unobstructed view of Tennant Lake and the surrounding wetlands, offering opportunities to view wildlife. From the tower, Mt. Baker to the east creates a backdrop for nature observation. A camera monitor at the base of the tower allows visitors, including those with physical disabilities, to experience the sights observable from up top; pan, tilt, and zoom functions on the camera provide a range of viewing possibilities.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Other recreational opportunities
The wildlife area unit includes an interpretive trail and an elevated wetland boardwalk trail.
WDFW and Whatcom County Parks and Recreation co-manage Tennant Lake Park, which, in addition to the interpretive center, includes a fragrance garden for the blind. Various other improvements, along with WDFW staff at the interpretive center, provide important recreational and educational opportunities for school districts and visitors in general. Contact the interpretive center (360-384-3064) or visit the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Department website for complete information.
Conservation
This unit is mostly in the floodplain of the Nooksack River. Some of the lower portions flood annually. Tennant Lake is an 80-acre, shallow, peat-bog lake. One-half mile south of this lake is Claypit Pond, formed as clay was dug up to manufacture brick and glass (prior to WDFW ownership). Fairly extensive swamp/marsh areas occur adjacent to both water bodies.
Special habitats and species
After initial land purchases, this unit was primarily managed for waterfowl, deer, and spiny ray fish.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and improve nesting and winter habitat for waterfowl
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
- Protect, restore, and enhance wetland and riparian habitats
After initial land purchases, this unit was primarily managed for waterfowl, deer, and spiny ray fish.
- Maintain and improve nesting and winter habitat for waterfowl
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
- Protect, restore, and enhance wetland and riparian habitats
Land stewardship
The Tennant Lake Unit was acquired for waterfowl breeding and hunting, fishing, and preserving critical wildlife and fish habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1974 and 2009.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Boating Facilities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Whatcom Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.