Washington lake guide
Lake Terrell Fishing
Lake Terrell near Ferndale is a diverse, shallow North Puget Sound fishery with trout, bass, perch, sunfish and catfish. Its developed WDFW access and broad warmwater community make it useful for both boat and shore anglers.
LocationWhatcom County, Washington
Primary targetsLargemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size321.3 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Max depth10 feet
Elevation216 feet
Summer cautionWarm water
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 Terrell distinctive
FishyNW documents 8 fish species here, giving Lake Terrell an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Lake Terrell has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its profile.
Lake Terrell is documented in Whatcom 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.
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Bluegill
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Brown Bullhead
See bottom-oriented tactics, timing, bait options, and handling tips.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Channel Catfish
Use bait near travel routes, deeper holes, flats, or evening feeding areas.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Pumpkinseed
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Stocking information
Lake Terrell 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.
Official stocking history
Five-year summary · 2022–2026
View agency record Fish stocked199,701
Stocking events25
Years stocked5
Species stocked3
Species in this period: Chum, Cutthroat, Rainbow
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 2026 | Rainbow | 1,500 | 1.4 fish/lb (~0.71 lb each) | KENDALL CR HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Chum | 481 | 1500 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | RFEG 1 - SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 27, 2026 7:44am
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
8
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.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
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, bass- 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
bass, panfish, catfish- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Warm water, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout, bass- 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
perch, trout, panfish- 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
Two-pole fishing is allowed under the current profile. Seasonal waterfowl-hunting restrictions prohibit boats and floating devices during part of the fall.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
WDFW provides a year-round west-shore access with one concrete boat ramp, boarding float, fishing platform, parking and restroom. The surrounding wildlife area also provides shoreline and dock access.
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.
The Confluence Fly Shop
Independent full-service fly fishing shopBellingham, Washington · North Puget Sound fly shop with flies, tying materials, rods, reels, classes, local reports, and Whatcom/Skagit river and stillwater 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
Lake Padden
about 15.3 miles away
Lake Padden is one of western Washington's strongest shore-access fisheries, with stocked Rainbow Trout, coastal cutthroat, kokanee and…
Lake Whatcom about 17.6 miles awayLake Whatcom is a large three-basin fishery with major depth changes, sills and deep-water habitat where bathymetry is…
Lake Samish about 19.4 miles awayLake Samish is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is available and useful to…
Cain Lake about 21.9 miles awayCain Lake is a seasonal Whatcom County trout and warmwater fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass and…
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.