The lake is circular, has pay camp sites (no water pump), and has a boat launch. The lake is planted with catchable rainbows each spring and fingerlings each fall. It has a narrow shoal, but the shoals are lush with vegetation. All but the east side of the lake is surrounded by reeds; so bring a tube or boat for best access.

May 28-30, 2005

I caught about 70 rainbows in two days (on the night of the 28th I only fished for an hour). They were mostly 10 to 11 inches is length. The largest was 14 inches and the smallest was 8 inches. There were few mayflies and chironomids. Stomach samples showed high counts of daphnia (water fleas), which are typically a curse to the fly fisherman because they cannot be imitated. However, dragon and damsels and scuds were also prevalent in some stomach samples. I found a damsel imitation most successful. Although I could catch fish every fourth or fifth cast with other good flies, the damsel pattern would produce a strike almost every cast. Strikes were mostly nibbles but with some patience you could distinguish between the nibble and the bite and set the hook on the bite.

The campground was full at nearby Swan and Long Lakes. We tried Swan first and then found one spot at Ferry. Afterwards we learned that someone had vacated that spot just before we had arrived so if you’re planning a future trip to any of these lakes during Memorial Day Weekend, get your camping site early.

In addition to the fast fishing action, there was a pair of bald eagles and nesting loons on the lake for observation. Although everybody caught some fish, not everybody caught lots of fish; so presentation was still important for these planted rainbows.