Fishing at Canyon Lake, Whatcom County, Washington

• Overview

  Canyon Lake is set in Whatcom County, Washington. The bank is 4,797 feet above sea level. The far bank is a conversation away, so keep low and quiet. Most waters listed here for Whatcom County are larger. Cultus Lake lies 11 miles from the water. Chilliwack is the closest city, 17 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Canyon Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Whatcom County cover sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and white sturgeon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Take Canyon Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 56°F, with December the cold end at about 26°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. That shapes the year on Canyon Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Bearpaw Mountain Lake is 1.9 miles off. For Canyon Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.