FISHES OF THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 45 
SHOSHONE LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES. 
This lake has a length of about 64 miles and a width of one-half to 
44 miles, being dumb-bell shaped or constricted in the middle. Its 
area is about 12 square miles. Its shores are mostly bold, rocky, and 
densely wooded, the eastern shore being especially abrupt, and the 
bottom is there made by large lava Bagitee On the other side 
somewhat different conditions obtain, there being a considerable 
growth of aquatic vegetation. The lake is clearer and colder than 
either Yellowstone Lake or Heart Lake. The principal tributaries 
are Shoshone Creek at the northwest corner al De Lacy Creek at 
the northeast corner. Moose Creek from the southward enters the 
southern side of the eastern expansion of the lake. Shoshone Lake 
is connected with Lewis Lake at the southward by a stream of still 
water known as the “Canal,” about 3 miles long. 
Lewis Lake occupies a rounded basin with eather low banks. It is 
pear-shaped, about 3 miles long by 2 miles broad, very clear and cold, 
and apparently in every way suited for trout. Its bold shores are 
heavily wooded and without any large tributary streams. A few 
hot springs enter it on the western side. 
Below fis Lake Lewis River enters a deep and narrow canyon. 
At the head of this canyon is a cascade of about 80 feet, of which 20 
feet at the top is perpendicular. Toward the end of the canyon and 
not far above the junction with the Snake is another cascade some 
50 feet in height. Owing to the falls in Lewis River no fish were 
able to ascend to Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, which were therefore 
uninhabited by any trouts until they were introduced. 
Loch Leven and lake trouts are numerous, and eastern brook trout 
abound in Shoshone Creek. Mr. Clark wrote that the Shoshone and 
Lewis Lake region was probably the best fishing in the park: 
These two lakes and their outlet, Lewis River, are full of native trout and have 
been stocked with Mackinaw and Loch Leven trout, which are increasing in number 
and size most successfully. These fish will not rise to the surface and take the fly 
as do the regular native trout, and it is necessary to go down into the water for them. 
In the lakes you can catch them by trolling if you can find the particular cove where 
they happen to berunning. However, in spite of the uncertainty of the lake trolling, 
there is one place where you can troll with assurance of success, and that is the canal 
between Shoshone and Lewis Lakes. This is a natural body of water with little or 
no current and not very wide. In Lewis River just below Lewis Falls, in the deep 
pools where the eddies are covered with foam, you are sure to find good fishing. 
Rainbow trout said to have been planted in De Lacy Creek in 
1895 have never been observed, but eastern brook trout of small 
size are numerous. 
FALLS RIVER AND BECHLER RIVER. 
Falls River pursues a sinuous course near the boundary in the 
southwestern corner of the park. It rises by two branches, one 
originating in a marshy area, the other in Beula Lake, near which 
are Herring Lake and another smaller one, both mere ponds, and 
flows to the eastward. In the Birch Hills it passes through a short 
ravine, flowing over two falls, Terraced and Rainbow Falls, the latter 
being the most westerly. Before joining Bechler River it receives a 
considerable creek, Mountain Ash by name, which flows down from 
the south side of Pitchstone Plateau. 
