2005 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Deer Springs Lake (Lincoln County)

Deer Springs Lake (Lincoln County) was surveyed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists on June 8-9, 2005. Fish were sampled by boat electrofishing, gill netting, and fyke netting. Seven fish species were collected. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was the most abundant species sampled (51%) and comprised the most biomass (59%). Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were also collected. Largemouth bass are the dominant warmwater species in Deer Springs Lake, and proportional stock density (PSD) revealed a large portion of quality size fish. Largemouth bass over 508 mm (20”) were observed and many were sampled within the slot-limit sizes (305-432 mm; 12”-17”). Although, pumpkinseed sunfish exhibited the highest condition of all panfish species, they likely offer limited angling opportunity due to their mostly small size. Rainbow trout showed rapid growth; achieving 254 mm (10”) during their first year, although their overall numbers were most likely under represented because of sampling bias. Given its simple species structure, remote location, and morphology, Deer Springs Lake is an example of an excellent mixed-species fishery offering quality angling opportunities in both spring and summer. In order to continue producing quality largemouth bass and sufficient rainbow trout in Deer Springs Lake, future management considerations should include maintaining the slot-limit on largemouth bass, continuing with current rainbow trout stocking rates, and conducting regular creel surveys to determine angler harvest and preferences.