Tjikp Manaypnwnt Stutiis? 



Management of Horseshoe Lake commenced in 1924 when 20,000 rainbow trout were planted 

 (Table 16). Between 1924 and 1981, planting of the lake was sporadic and generally represented 

 stock availability and angler preferences. Plants included coho and kokanee salmon, rainbow 

 trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Because of high rough fish populations (mainly northern 

 squawfish and largescale suckers) planting success was marginal. In 1945 and 1950, FWP 

 attempted to introduce bull trout and lake trout respectively, in an attempt to biologically lower 

 rough fish populations. The experiment met with no success. 



Gillnetting showed species composition in Horseshoe Lake in 1966 was northern squawfish (17 

 per net), largescale suckers (9.0 per net), longnose suckers (1 per net), and pumpkinseeds (1 per 

 net); redside shiners were noted in large numbers along the shoreline. These numbers were 

 similar to 1968 and 1973 gill-net surveys. There were no trout captured. In 1956, FWP 

 determined that Horseshoe Lake should be rehabilitated. This was locally popular but problems 

 with access to the lake and funding led to no action taken. 



Horseshoe Lake was surveyed again in 1992 with gill nets. Rough fish populations were similar 

 to historic levels. Duncan strain rainbow trout (kamloops) from a 1990 plant were captured at low 

 numbCTS (0.6 per net). These trout had the lowest condition of any trout in the TCL. The trout 

 did provide some angling opportunity, though. 



Managfment Concerns: 



1 . Curroit angle- use of Horseshoe Lake is almost non-existent; the lake is under-utilized by 

 anglers. 



2. Continued high rough fish populations (especially northern squawfish) make successful 

 introductions of rainbow or cutthroat trout difficult to impossible. 



3. Complete rehabilitation of Horseshoe Lake would require approximately 2,700 gallons of 

 rotenone. The cost per gallon of rotenone (1994) is $30. Including labor the cost to 

 rehabilitate Horseshoe Lake would be approximately $85, (XX). 



4. There is a historic bald eagle nest on Horseshoe Lake. 



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