Was once a trophy lake...

Within fairly recent memory this lake was a legitimate and very well known "trophy" lake. The average fish was 3lbs or more, and there were some significantly larger ones in the lake. Unfortunately, this reputation is no longer accurate or earned. Due to some unavoidable circumstances - winter kill a couple of years ago - and some very avoidable circumstances - poor lake management resulting in massive overstocking - this lake is far from what it used to be, or should be. Prior to a recent trip we were informed anglers were getting 50+ fish per day at an average of 2lbs. Of course, anyone with a modicum of fishing sense knows that this is not the profile of a trophy lake. A trophy lake typically offers a lower volume of fish caught, with a substantially higher average size. Add to this a prior statement that the lake could accommodate another 15,000 fish, and you have the recipe for a poorly managed tiddler pond. When I arrived it was worse than I had feared. The average size was well below 2lbs. The vast majority of the fish were skinny like eels, or stunted and vaguely yellow in hue, or both. Worst of all, a good number of them were riddled with lesions. The fish were clearly in distress. All classic signs of an overstocked lake. It was no wonder that people were having 50+ fish days... the fish were so hungry they would bite anything you cared to put on the end of your fly line. I felt a little sorry for the fish. I sincerely hope things will turn around - this used to be my favorite lake. Last year, it looked like the lake was on a good rebound trajectory from the prior winter-kill. The fish were healthy and averaged about 2 1/2 lbs. This year that number should have been pressing 3+lbs, not collapsing to sub-2lbs. Until the systematic stocking mis-management problems are fixed this lake is not really worth it. I am truly hopeful that things turn around - but this is going to take years to fix, if management even cares to fix it at all.

Semi-neglected

Dock

Parking

neglected - barely usable.