Lake Terrell Fish Stocking
Whatcom County, Washington · 1996–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Terrell was last stocked March 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Lake Terrell has 90 stocking records on file, spanning 1996–2026, with about 663,251 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Terrell is stocked
Lake Terrell is typically stocked year-round, most often in May — 21 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Terrell
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Whatcom County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Terrell, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Lake Terrell was last stocked March 26, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Washington freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Washington license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Washington fish & wildlife agency.Official Washington regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Lake Terrell:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Terrell
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lake Terrell, freshest activity first.
Fishtrap Creek
8 miWhatcom County · 3 species · 40 records
Last stocked June 2026
Whatcom Creek
12 miWhatcom County · 7 species · 221 records
Last stocked May 2026
Toad Lake
14 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 81 records
Last stocked April 2026
Schell Creek
5 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 10 records
Last stocked March 2026
Terrell Creek
4 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 17 records
Last stocked March 2026
Nooksack River
7 miWhatcom County · 3 species · 8 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 10, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 7, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,225 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 31, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 978 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,660 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 313 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,740 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 455 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 578 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 1, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,034 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 15, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 1, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,012 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,240 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,530 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 26, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 656 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 3, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 267 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 569 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 267 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 569 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 8, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 279 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 569 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2011 | Channel Catfish | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 539 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 851 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 90 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Terrell last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Terrell was last stocked March 26, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Terrell?
Lake Terrell is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Channel Catfish, and Steelhead.
What time of year is Lake Terrell stocked?
Lake Terrell is typically stocked year-round, most often in May.
How often is Lake Terrell stocked?
Lake Terrell has been stocked about 3 times a year — 90 recorded stockings between 1996 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Terrell?
About 663,251 fish have been stocked in Lake Terrell across 90 recorded events since 1996, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Terrell?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Washington freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Washington fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Lake Terrell?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Terrell typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.