As I recall Lake Trout were planted in Whatcom in the late 1800s. There were lakers consistently caught until about World War II. Have not seen a confirmed catch since then.

I know that during the 1970s a number large trout were caught in the lake but all those fish turned out to be either cutts (largest a little over 9#) or Rainbows (largest 8#). No one was able to produce of fish or photo to confirm a Laker catch.

With the amount of water that is diverted from the Middle Fork Nooksack into Whatcom it is also remotely possible that a bull trout/Dolly Varden could reach the lake.

Tight lines
Curt