Guide to Fishing in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area

    

The very first thing to know about fishing in Whatcom County is that you will need to get a license for fishing, and for hunting.  There are many different types of licenses. The price on the license will depend on whether or not you are a resident and you'll have to check with the stores that issue you the licenses which you will find below.
       


Combination License: This will give you the right to fish in freshwater and saltwater, you can harvest all kinds of shellfish as well as seaweed.

Freshwater License: You may fish in freshwater areas only. 

Saltwater License: This license allows you to fish only in saltwater areas.

Shellfish/Seaweed License: You may harvest razor clams, dungeness crab, goose barnacles, red rock, mussels, octopus, oysters, sea cucumbers, scallops, sea urchins, shrimp, clams, squid and seaweed.

1-5 Day Combination Licenses: Short term licenses are very similar to the combination license.  It is not valid for game fish for the 8 day period beginning the last saturday in April, unless you are active miliatry.

Dungeness Crab Endorsement: With this endorsement you may add it to a combination or shellfish license for a fee of $2.50 and you will be allowed to harvest Puget Sound dungeness crab (a $.50 fee will alow you to add this endorsement to a 1-5 day combination license) There is no fee for young people under 14 but you are still required to have the endorsement.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead:This endorsement will give all anglers 15 and older that fish for salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River or its tributaries the right to do so.

Two-Pole Endorsement: This allows you to use two fishing poles on freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs.  You must have a fishing license in addition to the endorsement.

 


Don't forget that you will also need a Washington State park Discover Pass to enter any of our Washington parks

 


You'll probably also want to check the Tide Tables

  


You'll find a lot of information at the Port of Bellingham regarding the local marinas, harbor rules, boat charters and rentals and other things.

 

   
 

Here is a list of stores where you may

obtain a fishing or hunting license:
     

Bellingham:

Big 5 Sporting Goods

Fred Meyer
 

 Kmart

 LFS
 

 Mayberry

Yeager's
 

Wal-Mart

  
     

Blaine:

 Bay Center Market

 True Value
     

Everson

Farmers Co-0p

  
     

Ferndale:

 Ace Hardware

 Cost Cutter
     

Lynden

Daves Sports Shop


     
 

WASHINGTON STATE INFORMATION ONLINE

OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES  FISHWHATCOM.COM

 

 

Whatcom County Fishing Charter Companies
         

   

Bellingham Fall Salmon Fishing Charters

Our 30' x 10'6" Custom built fishing vessel has the largest aft deck in the fleet and has the latest fishing amenities for your enjoyment and fishing needs.


Our boat is the most advanced charter fishing vessel in the San Juan Islands. Armed with a on board computer along with the most advanced 72 mile Radar, 2-GPS and advanced fish finding equipment to help locate and track down your Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod and Bottom fish.  More Info

  
         
     

 RipTide Charters

RipTide Charters is Whatcom County’s #1 stop for charter fishing. We provide guided saltwater sport fishing trips out of Bellingham and Blaine. Captain Frank Dickerson is at your service, ready to provide you with a memorable day on the water! More Info


Bellingham Fishing Charter Pickup Location

Squalicum Harbor Public Boat Launch

1801 Roeder Ave.Bellingham WA 98225

  
         
     

A Trophy Fishing Charters

A Trophy Fishing Charters, a San Juan Islands fishing charter, was started in 1993 by Captain Monty. We began by launching our charters out of Bellingham, for Salmon fishing and then Anacortes, Washington, for San Juan Islands Salmon fishing. In 1994 we moved our operation to Friday Harbor, Washington, located in the center of the Island's Salmon fishing area. The move to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, resulted in improving the overall charter fishing experience.  More Info