Bearpaw Mountain Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Washington, United States

2 catches

Logged catches

Top fish species at Bearpaw Mountain Lake

Cutthroat trout

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Fishing regulations at Bearpaw Mountain Lake, WA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Washington can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Local laws and licenses

Washington fishing license

Get license

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round

Cutthroat trout

Regulation boundaryWA Washington State Waters

Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size8" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit2

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

WA Non-game and Food Fish

You may not harvest in freshwater any fish not classified as a Food Fish or Game Fish except for Northern pike.

WA Snagging

You may not snag or attempt to snag fish. It is unlawful to possess a fish taken from freshwater that was not hooked inside the mouth or on the head. The head is defined as any portion forward of the rear margin of the gill plate.

WA Use of Drugs, Explosives or Poisons

You may not use drugs, explosives, or poison that may kill or injure fish and wildlife.

WA Crossbow

You may not use a crossbow to harvest fish or shellfish.

WA Sale or Barter

You may not offer any recreationally-caught fish or shellfish for sale or barter.

WA Possession and Fishing Rules

You may not fish for or harvest fish or shellfish in an area with catch in your possession that does not meet the rules of that area. However, you may pass through such an area without stopping to fish. Also, you may catch fish in one area and land them at a port in a different area even if that different area is closed or has different rules, with the exception of landing halibut in a closed area, or landing bottom fish caught in Oregon.

WA Harvesting another Person's Limit

You may not harvest any part of another person's daily limit, except for persons who possess a Designated Harvester Companion Card unless otherwise specified. 

WA Bait

You may not chum (broadcast feed) to attract Game Fish unless authorized by Special Rules. You many not use salmon, herring, or halibut for anything other than human consumption or fishing bait. It is unlawful to possess or use live aquatic animals as bait, except: (1) Live aquatic animals (other than fish) collected from the water being fished; (2) Live sand shrimp; (3) Live forage fish in the Columbia River (downstream of Rocky Point/Tongue Point).

WA Transport of Live Fish

You may not transport live fish or relocate shellfish or shells into state waters without a permit.

WA Use of a Net

You may not use a net, except when using a dip net to land legally-hooked fish, a forage fish dip net to harvest forage fish.

WA Use of Chemicals

You may not use any type of chemical irritant to harvest fish, or shellfish unless a special exception has been made by the Director. 

WA Bow and Arrow, Spear and Spearfishing

You may not fish for Game Fish, salmon, sturgeon, shad, octopus, crab, or other shellfish with bow and arrow, spear, or spearfishing gear unless authorized by Special Rules.

WA Gaff Hooks

You may not use a gaff hook, except to land lingcod (in Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line), halibut, tuna, or dogfish shark that will be retained. 

WA Season for Fishing Rivers Streams and Beaver Ponds

Rivers, streams and beaver ponds are open the Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31. Beaver ponds located within or connected to streams listed as open to trout and other game fish follow the same rules as the stream. Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are open to fishing for game fish (except Dolly Varden/bull trout and grass carp) year-round.

WA Hook and Line Angling

Hook and line angling only. Barbed or barbless hooks may be used, and a hook may be single- point, double, or treble, but not more than one line with up to three hooks per angler may be used. 

WA Cooperation with Data Collection

You must cooperate with data collection or other sampling of fish, shellfish or seaweed upon request of Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel. This includes relinquishing any part of a salmon, steelhead, or other species of fish containing coded-wire tags. 

Additional information

The combined daily limit for an angler that fishes in both rivers and lakes on the same day is 5 trout, no more than 2 may be from rivers.

Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Grayling:

In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size.Daily limit 5.

When fishing with bait, all trout that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released.

For more information please see State of Washington Fishing Regulations

Synonyms

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Location specific information

BIG BEAVER CREEK

from 1/4 mile upstream of Ross Lake markers to headwaters, including tributary streams and beaver ponds

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

CHANNEL CREEK

(Baker River tributary)

All game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

DAKOTA CREEK

from mouth (a line from the outermost headland of the south bank to a house at 1285 Runge Ave., Blaine, Washington, approx. 1/4 mile downstream from the Blaine Rd. Bridge) to Giles Rd. Bridge CRC (724)

All species
Selective gear rules.
All game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Dec. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

KENDALL CREEK

from mouth through the hatchery to the hatchery boundary fence

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

NOOKSACK RIVER

from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Hwy. 544 Bridge in Everson CRC (794)

All species
Sat. before Memorial Day-Dec. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Jan. 31
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Sat. before Memorial Day-Sept. 30
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Aug. 1-Sept. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release wild Chinook, pink, and chum.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum and pink.

from the Hwy. 544 Bridge in Everson to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)

All species
Aug. 1-Dec. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Trout
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Jan. 31
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Aug. 1-Sept. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release wild Chinook, pink, and chum.
Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum and pink.
Nov. 1-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho and no more than 1 chum.
Dec. 1-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum.

from yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming to confluence of North and South forks CRC (794)

All species
Aug. 1-Dec. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Trout
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Jan. 31
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum and pink.
Nov. 1-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho and no more than 1 chum.
Dec. 1-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum.

NOOKSACK RIVER, MIDDLE FORK

from mouth to the former City of Bellingham diversion Dam CRC (788)

All species
Selective gear rules.
Nov. 1-Jan. 31
Motors prohibited.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

NOOKSACK RIVER, NORTH FORK

from mouth to Hwy. 9

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

from the Hwy. 9 Bridge to the yellow marker at the upstream side of Kendall Hatchery CRC (790)

All species
Sat. before Memorial Day-Dec. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Motors prohibited.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Feb. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Feb. 15
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Sat. before Memorial Day-Sept. 30
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Feb. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum and pink.

from the yellow marker at the upstream side of Kendall Hatchery to Maple Creek CRC (790)

All species
Sat. before Memorial Day-Dec. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Nov. 1-Feb. 15
Motors prohibited.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Feb. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Feb. 15
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Feb. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 4 including no more than 2 wild coho. Release chum and pink.

from Maple Creek to Nooksack Falls CRC (790)

All species
Selective gear rules.
Nov. 1-Jan. 31
Motors prohibited.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

NOOKSACK RIVER, SOUTH FORK

from mouth to Skookum Creek CRC (792)

All species
Internal combustion motors prohibited.
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Only 1 single-point hook allowed.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Night closure.
Trout
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Steelhead (hatchery)
Jan. 1-Jan. 31
Min. size 20". Daily limit 2.
Oct. 1-Dec. 31
Closed.
Other game fish
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 1-Oct. 15
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 wild coho or 2 hatchery Chinook or 1 of each. Release chum, pink and wild Chinook.
Oct. 16-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 wild coho or 2 Chinook or 1 of each. Release chum.

from Skookum Creek upstream to Wanlick Creek

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

from Wanlick Creek upstream including Wanlick Creek and all tributaries CRC (792)

All species
Fly fishing only.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

ROSS LAKE TRIBUTARY STREAMS

and their tributaries from 1 mile upstream of Ross Lake to headwaters (except Ruby and Big Beaver creeks).

All game fish
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

RUBY CREEK

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

STETATTLE CREEK

from mouth to Bucket Creek

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

THORNTON CREEK

Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: No min. size/ daily limit for cutthroat trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

WHATCOM CREEK

from mouth (a line from the flashing light at the southwest end of the Port of Bellingham North Terminal to the southernmost point of the dike surrounding the Georgia Pacific treatment pond) to the markers below footbridge below Dupont St. in Bellingham CRC (884)

Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-July 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-July 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Aug. 4-Sept. 10
Min. size 12". Daily limit 1. Night closure. Antisnagging rule. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.

from the markers below the footbridge below Dupont St. upstream to the footbridge

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

from footbridge below Dupont St. in Bellingham to stone bridge at Whatcom Falls Park CRC (884)

All species
Aug. 1-Oct. 31
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

from stone bridge at Whatcom Falls Park to Lake Whatcom CRC (884)

All species
Juvenile Anglers Only (under 15 years old).
Trout
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
No min. size. Daily limit 2.
Other game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

WHATCOM, LAKE TRIBUTARIES

all tributaries and that portion of Lake Whatcom between Electric Ave. Bridge and outlet dam

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

BAKER LAKE

CRC (825)

All species
Chumming permitted.
Kokanee
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Min. size 8". Max. size 18". Daily limit 10.
Other game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
July 15-Aug. 31
Min. size 18". Daily limit 3. Release all salmon other than sockeye. Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon angling gear until the salmon limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.

200' radius around pump discharge at the south end of lake

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

CAIN LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

DIABLO LAKE

All species
Two-Pole not allowed.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

FAZON LAKE

All species
First Fri. in October-Jan. 27
Fishing from any floating device prohibited.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

GORGE LAKE

All species
Two-Pole not allowed.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

HOZOMEEN LAKE

All species
Unlawful to use lead weights or lead jigs measuring 1 1/2" or less along the longest axis.
All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

KEEFE LAKE

Smallmouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 15. Only 1 over 14" may be retained.
Largemouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10. Max. size 12", except 1 over 17" may be retained.
Channel catfish
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10.
Walleye
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 16. Only 1 over 22" may be retained.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

PADDEN LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

ROSS LAKE

refer to Ross Lake Tributaries for more information

All species
Selective gear rules. Two-Pole not allowed.
Eastern brook trout
July 1-Oct. 31
No min. size. Daily limit 5.
Other trout
July 1-Oct. 31
Min. size 16". Daily limit 1.
Other game fish
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SAMISH, LAKE

Cutthroat trout
Year-round
Min. size 14". Daily limit 2. Cutthroat count toward trout daily limit.
Other trout
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Smallmouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 15. Only 1 over 14" may be retained.
Largemouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10. Max. size 12", except 1 over 17" may be retained.
Channel catfish
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10.
Walleye
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 16. Only 1 over 22" may be retained.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SILVER LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SQUALICUM LAKE

All species
Two-Pole not allowed. Motors prohibited. Fly fishing only.
Trout
Year-round
Min. size 14". Daily limit 2.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SUNSET LAKE

Smallmouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 15. Only 1 over 14" may be retained.
Largemouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10. Max. size 12", except 1 over 17" may be retained.
Channel catfish
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10.
Walleye
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 16. Only 1 over 22" may be retained.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

TENNANT LAKE

All species
First Fri. in October-Jan. 27
Fishing from any floating device prohibited.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

TERRELL, LAKE

All species
First Sat. after Labor Day-Fri. Following First Sat. after Labor Day
Fishing from any floating device except a dock prohibited.
Oct. 1-Jan. 31
Fishing from any floating device except a dock prohibited.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

THORNTON LAKE, LOWER

Trout
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: No min. size/ daily limit for cutthroat trout.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

TOAD LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

WHATCOM, LAKE

that portion of Lake Whatcom between Electric Ave. Bridge and outlet dam

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

above Electric Ave. Bridge

All species
Two-Pole not allowed.
Year-round
See DOH Fish Consumption Advisories page 24.
Trout
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat.
Other game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

BAKER RIVER

from mouth to the lower Baker Dam

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

SKAGIT RIVER

from Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge) to Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem CRC (830)

All species
Internal combustion motors prohibited. Selective gear rules.
All game fish
June 1-Jan. 31
Catch-and-release. Except: 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained.

SHANNON, LAKE

All species
Chumming permitted.
Kokanee
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Min. size 8". Daily limit 10.
Other game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

Local laws and licenses

Washington fishing license

Get license

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FAQ about Bearpaw Mountain Lake fishing

📍 Where is Bearpaw Mountain Lake located?

Bearpaw Mountain Lake is a lake located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Its coordinates are:

48°57′5.6″N 121°50′27.6″W

🎣 Where on Bearpaw Mountain Lake is it best to fish?

Find the best fishing spots on Bearpaw Mountain Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.

🐟 What species are in Bearpaw Mountain Lake?

The most common species in Bearpaw Mountain Lake are:

Cutthroat trout - 1 members reported to have caught this fish

📢 What are the latest Bearpaw Mountain Lake fishing reports?

The latest Bearpaw Mountain Lake fishing reports are:

@caleb.sims reported a nice Cutthroat trout.

🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Bearpaw Mountain Lake?

Fishing in Washington requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, purchasable online or at authorized vendors.

In Washington, no fishing license is required for anglers under 15. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license

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Bearpaw Mountain Lake

Top fish species at Bearpaw Mountain Lake