Kokanee, Lake Samish, WA: Does anyone fish Lake Samish in Whatcom county this time of year? Same with Lake Whatcom???? I'm new to the area and previously fished for kokanee (silvers)...

Randy H Loc: Ferndale, WA

Does anyone fish Lake Samish in Whatcom county this time of year? Same with Lake Whatcom???? I'm new to the area and previously fished for kokanee (silvers) in Lake Chelan. I always fished during spring and summer, but some guys fished this time of year. Any info is appreciated.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Randy H wrote:

Does anyone fish Lake Samish in Whatcom county this time of year? Same with Lake Whatcom???? I'm new to the area and previously fished for kokanee (silvers) in Lake Chelan. I always fished during spring and summer, but some guys fished this time of year. Any info is appreciated.

I can’t help you, but from one Randy H to another - welcome to FS!!

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Whatcom is closed until late April. I have seen boats on Samish this time of year, but never tried it this early myself. There is a fellow on NWFR Northwest fishing reports that posts regularly once he starts' hitting fish. The fish on Samish are a whole lot smaller than Chelan, like 8 to 12 inches but more plentiful and can be caught all day, though still better in the morning.

Jeep1980 Loc: Bellingham, Wa.

Randy H wrote:

Does anyone fish Lake Samish in Whatcom county this time of year? Same with Lake Whatcom???? I'm new to the area and previously fished for kokanee (silvers) in Lake Chelan. I always fished during spring and summer, but some guys fished this time of year. Any info is appreciated.

Has you have heard.. Lake Whatcom opens the 3rd Saturday of April and Samish is open all year round.. both lakes require permits from the city of Bellingham .. they are 60 without taking their aqua course on line then it is 50.. I do fish both quite a bit.. see ya out there... jeep

Randy H Loc: Ferndale, WA

Thank you for the responses. Lake Chelan does yield some nice silvers, but Lake Roosevelt is the real deal. Have caught some nice 16"+ silvers and rainbows at LR. I was surprised last summer when I fished Samish one time. After silvers quit biting around 1000 hrs I trolled along the shoreline thinking there might be a lurking rainbow. Holy smokes, the bass took my wedding band. What a hoot.

Jayadams71560 Loc: Wa state

Samish fish are very small, same at Whatcom when it opens

Hootervillain Loc: Darrington,Washington

Jeep1980 wrote:

Has you have heard.. Lake Whatcom opens the 3rd Saturday of April and Samish is open all year round.. both lakes require permits from the city of Bellingham .. they are 60 without taking their aqua course on line then it is 50.. I do fish both quite a bit.. see ya out there... jeep

Hey Jeep, I did not know anything about a permit from the city. What exactly is that for, other than to relieve me of more money that the state didn't already relieve me of?

Jeep1980 Loc: Bellingham, Wa.

Hootervillain wrote:

Hey Jeep, I did not know anything about a permit from the city. What exactly is that for, other than to relieve me of more money that the state didn't already relieve me of?

Invasive species permit.. when the lake opens in the spring they have a inspection area for your boat at whatcom and samish.. lighter wallets for all.. lol
.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Jeep1980 wrote:

Invasive species permit.. when the lake opens in the spring they have a inspection area for your boat at whatcom and samish.. lighter wallets for all.. lol
.

So far, the inspectors have been very fast and pleasant (not to mention often cute) during the required inspections. I don't go on weekends. Take the free online course. It does not take long and saves a few bucks.

Hootervillain Loc: Darrington,Washington

Thanks I'll do that. I've not fished either lake before, but planned on fishing Samish in the very near future. I'm glad that I found out about this before I actually got there. I've never even heard or have seen anyone mention this before.

Jeep1980 Loc: Bellingham, Wa.

Hootervillain wrote:

Thanks I'll do that. I've not fished either lake before, but planned on fishing Samish in the very near future. I'm glad that I found out about this before I actually got there. I've never even heard or have seen anyone mention this before.

Here's a couple of the kokanee I caught at samish last fall.. see you out on the lake..

September 17,2022
September 17,2022...

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Jeep1980 wrote:

Here's a couple of the kokanee I caught at samish last fall.. see you out on the lake..

I love fishing that lake in September.

Hootervillain Loc: Darrington,Washington

Jeep1980 wrote:

Here's a couple of the kokanee I caught at samish last fall.. see you out on the lake..

Yes you will. If you see a little blue Walker Bay dingy trolling around, that will be me. See ya then.

Jeep1980 Loc: Bellingham, Wa.

Hootervillain wrote:

Yes you will. If you see a little blue Walker Bay dingy trolling around, that will be me. See ya then.

I have a 15 ft Smokercraft with blue bimni...

Sitting next to the ramp
Sitting next to the ramp...

Hootervillain Loc: Darrington,Washington

That's a nice setup