Basin Lake #3. An evaluation of Duck and Shrimp lakes should be 

 undertaken. Three and 4-year-old parent stock introduced in 1977 

 should have had offspring of catchable size by 1982; the self- 

 sustaining aspect looks bleak, however. 



Angler dissatisfaction with the low-density fishery in Blue 

 Danube Lake is justified. Ironically, Blue Danube supported a 

 thriving population for years. No sign of activity leading to 

 population failure was evident. Inadequate freshet flows neces- 

 sary for cleansing substrate gravels in the outlet may be part of 

 the problem. The existing stock has considerable historic 

 longevity. I recommend a more detailed look at the physical 

 habitat, food resources and population status. 



Golden Trout Lake needs measures to improve the deteri- 

 orating shoreline. Camping areas have denuded large areas of 

 vegetation and appear in part responsible for eutrophic water 

 conditions. Camping and horse use should be discontinued near 

 the outlet stream. The value of this historic fishery should be 

 rated as high or higher as the associated values of the encroach- 

 ing logging. 



The same is true for Hidden Lake; reading and logging may 

 cause the demise of the historic golden trout population. Since 

 the upper lakes have been restocked with fish from Surprise Lake 

 and have no obvious influences on Hidden lakes $5, 6 and 7, I 

 recommend restocking lakes #1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 with either Surprise 

 or Sylvan stock. 



If goldens in Cave Lake fail to become self-sufficient, I 

 recommend letting the lake return to a barren status. The 

 remaining lakes in the state appear secure and/or have protective 

 status of wilderness. I recommend these lakes be protected from 

 introduction of other species and managers be aware of their 

 importance and uniqueness in the State of Montana. 



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