Fishing Lake of the Woods in Whatcom County, Washington

• Overview

  Lake of the Woods lies in Whatcom County, in Washington. Pine and birch runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 2 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Whatcom County are larger. The closest town, Keremeos, is 42 miles away. Cawston is 44 miles and Princeton 47 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Woods

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Whatcom County names 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. Lake of the Woods repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 54°F, the coldest about 17°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid May. Ice usually gives way near mid May, and forms again about early November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Time your trip to Lake of the Woods by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Eureka Lake is 3.5 miles distant. Treat access at Lake of the Woods as something to verify.