Gorge Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Whatcom County end of Washington holds Gorge Lake. Height above sea level is 915 feet. At about 232 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Few waters listed in Whatcom County are bigger. Darrington at 37 miles is the nearest place to stop. Ryder Lake is 42 miles and Eastern Hillsides 42 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Gorge Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Survey and observation records for Whatcom County include sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and white sturgeon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Gorge Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 59°F and January near 26°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Gorge Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Bouck Lake, 1.7 miles away. Rules at Gorge Lake are worth checking on the day.