The Warmwater Fish Community of Pattison Lake, Thurston County, May 2005

Pattison Lake was surveyed from May 23rd to 26th, 2005 by a three person team using multiple gear types: electrofishing, gillnetting, and fyke-netting. Twelve fish taxa (11 species and one family) were collected: largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), brown trout (Salmo trutta), bluegill (L. macrochirus), sculpin (Cottidae family), and warmouth (L. gulosus). Data showed the warmwater game fish community to be balanced, with most PSDs ranging from 15 - 41, higher than average growth rates, relative weights at or near 100, and good relative abundances (as determined by catch rates). Compared to other western Washington lakes, Pattison Lake is a high quality warmwater fishery and may be one of the better warmwater fisheries in Thurston County. More survey work, creel data, and an evaluation of management options is warranted in order to maintain the value of this fishery.