Washington lake guide
Ross Lake Fishing
Ross Lake is a very large upper Skagit River reservoir centered on a native Rainbow Trout fishery. Its remote access pattern is unusual: most anglers reach the water through British Columbia, trail-and-boat connections, or boat-access camps rather than ordinary roadside ramps.
LocationWhatcom County, Washington
Primary targetsRainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring to early summer
Lake size11,493.4 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Max depthabout 394 feet
Elevation1,519 feet
Summer cautionWind
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 Ross Lake distinctive
Ross Lake reaches about 394 feet at its deepest documented point.
Ross Lake covers roughly 11,493 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
Ross Lake has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its 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.
Stocking information
Ross Lake 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 stocked1,243,789
Stocking events9
Years stocked4
Species stocked1
Species in this period: Rainbow
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2025 | Rainbow | 106,672 | 1000 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | MARBLEMOUNT HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Oct 27, 2025 | Rainbow | 249,364 | 1000 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | MARBLEMOUNT HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 27, 2026 8:46pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
9
verified signals
Research & surveys
Official survey records available
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- 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
listed species- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Wind, 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
Selective gear and special catch/size restrictions apply. Bull Trout and Dolly Varden may not be taken. Verify the current WDFW pamphlet before fishing.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
Public boat access is available at the north end through British Columbia, with trail-and-boat access to a resort on the south end and boat-access camping along the east shore.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Diablo Lake
about 16.4 miles away
Diablo Lake is an upper Skagit River impoundment with a naturally reproducing Rainbow Trout fishery and strict Bull…
Gorge Lake about 17.9 miles awayGorge Lake is the smallest of the upper Skagit River reservoirs and offers a comparatively simple Rainbow Trout…
Baker Lake about 29.3 miles awayBaker Lake is a major Whatcom County reservoir fishery for kokanee and, when opened in season, sockeye salmon.…
Depression Lake about 34.4 miles awayDepression Lake is a Baker River Project regulation basin with shoreline fishing access, but WDFW has suspended trout…
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.