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Lake Whatcom
Largest of Bellingham lakes, can be good for flatwater and occasional downwind paddles (Safer than the Bay if the Bay is too rough, but take care with very cold water in winter). Flatwater paddling is better at the edges of the day in summer or during the off season when there is not as much motorized traffic on the lake.
Downwinding
Reivers Dustin “Lake (Whatcom) is nice: fresh water, good safety, less cross-chop, waves never get mean. But I've been on the lake in big air when the waves never really got surfable. So it's a direction thing as well as wind velocity….”
Can get decent downwind waves when wind is blowing in longer fetch directions - from the east or southeast being some of the better setups. Probably don't have to worry about motorized boat traffic so much in downwinding conditions.
- Lk.Whatcom Downwind Reports
Launches
- Bloedel Donovan Park relatively large (for Bellingham) park and parking area. Leave the lower parking available for boat trailers in the busy season. You can stop temporarily in the lower area to unload your boat, then park above. Site of the Wednesday night races during warmer months.
- Lake Whatcom Park Trailhead there is a small parking area close to the water
- AM/PM Beaches, Sudden Valley - small beaches belonging to Sudden Valley sometimes used for downwinding launch with S/SE winds. On the SW side of lake across the lake from Lake Whatcom park trailhead.
- Lake Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch (Wa. Fish & Wildlife) Need Discover Pass to Park
- Western Washington University's Lakewood Facility (For students, alumni, faculty/staff) - you can also purchase seasonal access pass if you participate in senior education program at Western.
