Fishing at Diablo Lake, Whatcom County, Washington

• Overview

  Diablo Lake is listed under Whatcom County, Washington. Country round the bank runs to rolling hill. About 790 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The margin runs to about 9.0 miles in total. Size puts it in the front rank of our Whatcom County list. The closest town, Darrington, is 38 miles distant. The big place round here is Chilliwack, 50 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Diablo Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Species logged across Whatcom County include sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, white sturgeon and Chum salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Diablo Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 60°F at the top of summer and 26°F at the bottom of winter. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Time your trip to Diablo Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Thunder Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Diablo Lake for certain.