5. Any exotic ^)ecies planted in the Thompson Lake complex can potentiaUy escape 

 to the Clark Fork River system. 



Preferred Manaypnwnt Optioni 



Management options considered included current management and stocking of kokanee, brown 

 trout, and rainbow trout, discontinue trout and salmon stocking and manage for warmwater 

 species, adjusting trout stocking rates, and investigating methods of perch control. There were 

 203 comments on the Thompson lakes fisheries. 



Under the preferred managemoit options, the Thompson lakes would be managed as a two-tiered 

 fishery to include both warmwater and coldwater species (bass, and rainbow trout and kokanee, 

 respectively). The salmoiid fishery would be monitored to determine success of stocking. Brown 

 trout stocking would cease. Stocking of kokanee would continue in Lower Thompson Lake until 

 FWP can determine the contribution of wild versus stocked fish to the population, at which time 

 stocking rates might be adjusted, FWP would initiate a comprehensive largemouth bass genetic 

 survey to determine future stocking needs. FWP would initiate structure enhancement for 

 largemouth bass for Lower, Middle, and Upper Thompson lakes and monitor the effects of 

 structures on population trends. No structures would be placed so as to affect trolling for 

 kokanee. Regulation on the take of kokanee would be considered to enhance catch rates and 

 salmon doisities. Rainbow trout stocking would remain at curroit levels and retired rainbow trout 

 broodstock might be added to the lakes as they become available. 



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