2. The contribution of kokanee salmon planted in Lower Thompson Lake to the Middle 

 Thompson Lake population is unknown at this time. Kokanee catch rates are lower than 

 anglers would prefer. 



3. FWP is not certain the current largemouth bass population can withstand the dramatically 

 increased angling pressure seen in the last decade. The population will probably persist 

 but possibly at much lower densities. 



4. The effects of brown trout stocking on existing fish populations are currently unknown. 

 It is also unknown if stocked brown trout can survive in the current TCL system. 



5. Because of the lake's topography, shallow water habitat and cover for bass is limited. 



6. Any exotic q)ecies planted in the Thompson Lake complex can potentially escape 

 to the Clark Fork River system. 



Preferred M anagprnpnt Option: 



Management options considered included current management and stocking levels, discontinue 

 stocking, increasing salmon densities, and artificial bass structure placement. There were 203 

 comments on the Thompson lakes fisheries. 



Under the preferred management option, the Thompson lakes would be managed as a two-tiered 

 fishery to include both warm water and cold water species (bass, and rainbow trout and kokanee, 

 respectively). The salmcKiid fishery would be monitored to detarnine 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 densities. Rainbow tix>ut stocking would remain at current levels and retired rainbow trout 

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



UPPER THOMPSON LAKE 

 Tjikp IVsfriptinn; 



Upper Thompson Lake is a medium-sized lake with connections to the Thompson River and Clark 

 Fork River through Middle and Lower Thompson lakes. It is comprised of a series of three 

 relatively shallow basins (90 percent of depth less than 10 feet) separated by narrow shallow 



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