channels. It has a maximum depth of 100 feet and has a surface area of 232 acres (Figure 6). 

 Betweai March 1, 1993 and February 28, 1994, FWP estimated that as many as 3,885 anglers, 

 of which 96 pocent were Montana residoits, fished at Upper Thompson Lake (Montana Statewide 

 Angling Pressure Report). 



TjikP Managwtipnt Statiisi 



Managemait of Upper Thompstm Lake conunenced in 1936 when 25,000 cutthroat trout (probably 

 Yellowstone cutthroats) were planted (Table 8). Stocking was sporadic and generally reflected 

 stock availability and angler prefCTcnces. Kokanee salmon that were stocked in the lake in 1944, 

 1952, 1953, and 1963 probably contributed to the current wild population that exists in Middle 

 Thompson Lake. 



Yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, largemouth bass, and in the 1960s northern pike were illegally 

 introduced to Upper Thompson Lake and currently dominate the fishery. Illegally stocked 

 smallmouth bass were documented in the 1980s but appear to be in very low numbers. Upper 

 Thompson Lake was surveyed with gill nets in 1992. The non-game species pumpkinseeds 

 (6.4/net) and yellow perch (8.6/net) dominated the catch; northern pike (1.2/net) were of average 

 size and condition. Crayfish, are also in quite high densities (23.5/net) in Upper Thompson 

 Lake. 



FWP ceased all stocking of trout and salmon in 1983 (with the exception of 1992 and 1994 when 

 approximately 4(X) broodstock rainbow trout were stocked) because of poor survival. The lake 

 is curraitly scheduled to receive 5(X) Duncan strain (kamloops) rainbow trout per year beginning 

 in 1995. 



Currently most angling is directed toward northern pike and perch both in spring/summer and 

 winter ice fishery. Largemouth bass for many years were the mainstay of the fishery for Upper 

 Thompson Lake. Bass are still popular but their numbers have decreased as northern pike have 

 increased. In the past, stocked trout produced a fair trout fishery with occasional trophy trout 

 prior to northern pike introductions. 



Catch rates on yellow perch are high but only a small percentage of the perch are considered to 

 be of keeping size (greater than eight inches). Spearing was banned on the lake in the 1970s to 

 discourage poaching. Trout anglers are restricted to 5 trout daily, only one trout longer than 22 

 inches. This regulation was established in an attempt to protect the trophy trout fishery. Bass 

 anglers are restricted to only 1 bass daily, minimum length of 22 inches from May 15 to June 30, 

 to protect spawning bass and spread harvest throughout the year. 



34 



