Lake Samish Fishing Regulations
Whatcom County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Lake Samish is a lake in Whatcom County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 5 species, including Channel Catfish, Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Lake Samish
Fish with special rules on Lake Samish
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Lake Samish limits by species (2026)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Channel Catfish | – | 10 | Year-round |
 Cutthroat TroutCutthroat count toward trout daily limit. | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Largemouth BassExcept 1 over 17” may be retained. | 12" max | 10 | Year-round |
 Smallmouth BassOnly 1 over 14” may be retained. | – | 15 | Year-round |
 WalleyeOnly 1 over 22” may be retained. | – | 16 | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Lake Samish trip
Lake Samish fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Lake Samish?
5 species have rules specific to Lake Samish: Channel Catfish, Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye.
What is the channel catfish limit on Lake Samish?
No size limit is listed for Channel Catfish on Lake Samish, and the daily bag limit is 10.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Lake Samish?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Lake Samish, and the daily bag limit is 2.
What is the largemouth bass limit on Lake Samish?
Largemouth Bass have a maximum size of 12" on Lake Samish, and the daily bag limit is 10.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Lake Samish?
Where Lake Samish has its own rule for a species, that rule replaces the statewide limit. For species not listed on this page, Washington's statewide regulations apply. Regulations are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; confirm with the official 2026 regulations before keeping a fish.
Other Washington waters with special regulations
- Yakima River · Benton
- Columbia River
- Wind River · Skamania
- Drano Lake · Skamania
- Naselle River · Pacific
- Roosevelt Lake · Ferry/Grant/Lincoln/Okanogan/Stevens
- Cowlitz River · Cowlitz/Lewis
- Green River · Duwamish
- Grays River · Wahkiakum
- Nisqually River · Pierce/Thurston
- Nooksack River · Whatcom
- Humptulips River · Grays Harbor
Take Lake Samish rules on the water
Identify your catch, check if it's a keeper, and log it. CatchVault is on iOS, with Android on the way.