The Lake Terrell Unit consists of the lake, wetlands, and forage fields for waterfowl and upland game. The 500-acre, man-made Lake Terrell, with its uniquely undeveloped shoreline and diverse fishery, has become one of the prime destination fishing venues in North Puget Sound. Anglers catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, triploid rainbow trout, perch, sunfish and bullheads. Some of the artificial islands have duck blinds, and the lake has boat launches and other amenities; in the fall, pen-raised pheasant are released weekly for hunting.
The Lake Terrell Unit is 10 miles northwest of Bellingham and 5 miles west of Ferndale in Whatcom County. The unit can be accessed from Lake Terrell Road off of Slater Road from exit 260 off of Interstate 5.
The Lake Terrell Unit lies close to Puget Sound just south of the Canadian border. It is located between the Fraser and Skagit rivers, and between the largest estuaries in the Willamette Valley - Puget Trough - Georgia Basin ecoregion.
This unit is part of the Whatcom Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 407
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area
- ADA accessible vault toilet
- Boat dock
- ADA accessible fishing pier
- Hunting/wildlife viewing blinds
- Trails
Recreation and access advisories
- Dogs on required to be on leash April 1 through July 15.
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterfowl and upland bird hunting.
This unit offers 24 hunting blinds for waterfowl. Pen-raised pheasants are released weekly in the fall for hunting.
Hunting advisories
- A Game Reserve is established on this unit (WAC 220-411-140). Game Reserves are CLOSED AREAS where hunting and trapping for all wild animals and wild birds is prohibited (RCW 77.12.047).
- Hunting on the lake is permitted from blinds ONLY.
- Hunting OVER DECOYS is permitted from established pit blinds ONLY.
- It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WA C220-414-040).
- Maps for all hunting areas are posted at the HQ (Lake Terrell) parking lot, and unit maps are up at Marine Drive, Slater Road, and Intalco parking lots.
- Shotgun use and archery ONLY. Pistol and rifle shooting are NOT allowed.
Fishing
This unit includes Lake Terrell, a 500-acre man-made shallow lake, with two peat bog marshes on its south and southwest sides, and Terrell Creek, offering a variety of fishing opportunities. Although Terrell Creek was originally dammed to create an impoundment and restore wetland habitat for waterfowl, the resulting water body also supports introduced fish species. Lake Terrell, with its uniquely undeveloped shoreline and diverse fishery, has become one of the prime destination fishing venues in North Puget Sound. Anglers catch largemouth bass (which reproduce naturally in the lake), channel catfish, triploid rainbow trout, perch, sunfish and bullheads. Several major bass fishing tournaments are held on the lake annually.
Lake Terrell is stocked annually with rainbow and cutthroat trout, and some triploid rainbows. Resident fish include bass, perch, catfish, bluegill, pumpkinseed.
Fishing advisories
- Fishing is permitted year-round, but boats and floating devices are prohibited on Lake Terrell during the hunting season. Boat fishing is allowed from Feb. 1 throught Sep. 30.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes the 500-acre Lake Terrell, Terrell Creek, two peat-bog marshes, wetlands, plus managed agricultural fields and artificial islands, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife species, including waterfowl, such as Canada goose, and upland birds.
This unit has trails that offer opportunities for birding, and has 24 hunting/viewing blinds. In winter, trumpeter and tundra swans use Lake Terrell as a night roost area.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
Lake Terrell, a 500-acre man-made, shallow lake with two peat bog marshes on its south and southwest sides, and Terrell Creek. The creek was originally dammed to create an impoundment and restore wetland habitat for waterfowl, the resulting water body also supports introduced fish species. About 55 acres are farmed annually to produce winter food for waterfowl and upland game. Wild rice has been planted in the lakebed since 1988 and is producing seed annually. Several artificial islands, constructed to attract nesting waterfowl, have been used extensively by Canada geese. The adjacent fields are excellent brooding areas for goslings. Wintering trumpeter and tundra swans also use the lake as a night roost area.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and improve nesting and winter habitat for waterfowl
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
- Protect, restore, and enhance wetland and riparian habitats
Land stewardship
The Lake Terrell Unit was purchased for waterfowl habitat, hunting and fishing.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1948 and 2020.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Boating Facilities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Whatcom Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.