Washington lake guide
Lake Shannon Fishing
Lake Shannon is a Baker River reservoir north of Concrete with kokanee as the principal fishing draw. Public access includes a difficult gravel launch, and anglers must pay close attention to bull-trout protections and current size restrictions.
LocationSkagit County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee
Best seasonSpring to early summer
Lake size2,060 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Elevation407 feet
Summer cautionHeat
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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What makes Lake Shannon distinctive
Lake Shannon covers roughly 2,060 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
Lake Shannon is documented in Skagit County County with a dedicated FishyNW fishing and access profile.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsFishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Brook Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Bull Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Stocking information
Lake Shannon Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 2002 | Kokanee | 302,445 | 5024 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | BELLINGHAM HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Apr 19, 2001 | Kokanee | 185,865 | 5355 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | BELLINGHAM HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 27, 2026 8:47pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
6
verified signals
Research & surveys
Agency-backed record
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
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WindLoading
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Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, kokanee- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
kokanee early- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Heat, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
Lake Shannon is closed to the taking of bull trout/Dolly Varden. Chumming is permitted; check current WDFW size restrictions and emergency rules.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
Puget Sound Energy provides public access and WDFW describes the boat launch as a difficult gravel launch. Shoreline is largely undeveloped.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Holiday Sports
Locally owned fishing and outdoor sporting goods storeBurlington, Washington · Local Northwest fishing outfitter with rods, reels, bait, lures, fly gear, shellfish gear, marine supplies, and Skagit-area fishing knowledge.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Grandy Lake
about 3.0 miles away
Grandy Lake northeast of Concrete supports stocked Rainbow Trout, resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Largemouth Bass. The county…
Depression Lake about 7.0 miles awayDepression Lake is a Baker River Project regulation basin with shoreline fishing access, but WDFW has suspended trout…
Baker Lake about 12.3 miles awayBaker Lake is a major Whatcom County reservoir fishery for kokanee and, when opened in season, sockeye salmon.…
Lake Cavanaugh about 20.9 miles awayLake Cavanaugh is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is available and useful to…
Baker River River systemThe short Baker River below Lower Baker Dam carries important salmon and bull-trout migrations, but the entire reach…
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.