Bearpaw Lake
Main Species: Cutthroat Trout
Sub Species: Brook trout
Size: Small lake
Public Access: Yes, hike in
Boat Launch: No
Bathrooms: No
Opening Date: Statewide rules apply. Open year round unless otherwise posted in the regulations.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm
Read the special rules and advisories at www.wdfw.wa.gov.
If you have fished this lake and have some information to add please email us atadmin@fishwhatcom.com.
To access Bearpaw Lake drive up Canyon Creek Rd off the Mt. Baker Highway (542).
Canyon Creek Rd is paved for a ways and then turns into a gravel road. The road can be washed out at times and can be difficult for low or non four wheel drive vehicles. Canyon Creek Rd. turns into NFD 31. Turn right at NFD 3170 which will take you to the trailhead. It is about a mile hike but is relatively steep. There is snowpack in this area through July so be prepared to hike over snow. The photo shown here was taken on June 28, 2009.
I have fished Bearpaw in early August and done quite well fly fishing from shore. I carried chest waders in so I could wade out a bit and caught about a dozen small cutthroat trout. The biggest was about 9 inches for the day, but I did see some fish in the 12+ inch range.
