Despite its reputation, Mount Baker isn’t all snow and skiing. In fact, the mountain’s foothills and forests hide some of the best fishing in the state. Cold, clear rivers and high alpine lakes are full to the gills with trout, kokanee, salmon and so much more. If you’re looking for your next world class fishing trip, there’s nowhere better than Mount Baker!
Silver Lake is a lovely little fishing spot located 15 minutes from Glacier and under an hour from Bellingham. The lake boasts native cutthroat trout, alongside rainbow trout, who are artificially stocked each spring and fall. The county park has a fishing dock, boat rentals, and quiet spots along the shore if you prefer to cast from land. It’s not huge, but it’s peaceful and productive, especially early in the morning.
Lake Padden is one of Bellingham’s go-to fishing spots and works perfectly for a quick trip, or an all day adventure with the kids. It’s stocked regularly with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and Largemouth Bass, while also being the natural habitat for a population of Cutthroat Trout. The paved trail around the lake gives you easy access to the shore, and there’s a dock on the west side that’s perfect for beginners or kids. Non-motorized boats are allowed, so if you have a kayak or float tube, you’ll have even more options.
Hayes Lake is part of the Chain Lakes trail system near the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. This lake’s high elevation means amazing views of the nearby Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. If you’re up for a short, mile and a half long hike, the lake offers a mixture of Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Eastern Brook Trout. Bring a packable rod, a lunch and some small spinners or dry flies.
You don’t have to go far from town to find good river fishing. The Nooksack River runs from the mountains all the way to Bellingham Bay, with the north fork being closest to Glacier. Depending on the time of year, you can catch steelhead, Salmon, trout, and whitefish. There are plenty of spots for shore fishing, but if you prefer fishing by boat, there are also a plethora of boat launches to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for stocked Rainbow, native Cutthroat, or just a chance to sit by the water and unwind, you won’t need to go far from Glacier or Bellingham to find it. Bring your rod, check the regs, and enjoy the views, Mount Baker is never out of sight.