Ross Lake Fishing Regulations
Whatcom County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Ross Lake is a lake in Whatcom County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 7 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Ross Lake
Fish with special rules on Ross Lake
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Ross Lake limits by species (2026)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-Pole not allowed. · Artificial Only; Barbless; No Bait; Single Point Hook | – | – | Always open |
 Brook Trout | – | 5 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 | |
 Brown Trout | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
 Golden Trout | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
 Lake Trout | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
 Rainbow Trout | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
 Steelhead | 16" min | 1 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Ross Lake trip
Ross Lake fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Ross Lake?
7 species have rules specific to Ross Lake: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead.
What is the brook trout limit on Ross Lake?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Ross Lake, and the daily bag limit is 5. Season: Jul 1 – Oct 31. Limits change during the year.
What is the brown trout limit on Ross Lake?
Brown Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Ross Lake, and the daily bag limit is 1. Season: Jul 1 – Oct 31.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Ross Lake?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 16" to keep on Ross Lake, and the daily bag limit is 1. Season: Jul 1 – Oct 31.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Ross Lake?
Where Ross Lake 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 Ross Lake 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.