Wapatus Lake

How big is Wapatus Lake?

How deep is Wapatus Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Wapatus Lake?

What are the closest cities to Wapatus Lake?

Are there boat launches on Wapatus Lake?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Wapatus Lake?

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Island Lake, also known as Wapatus Lake, is a 38-acre lake located in Clearwater County. It is located five miles west and three miles south of Zerkel. The lake is within the White Earth Indian Reservation and the County Memorial Forest. Approximately of the shoreline is under public ownership. There is an earthen public access on the northeast corner of the lake off of the Height of Land Trail. Adequate temperature and oxygen levels exist through out the year to support trout. Island Lake has been managed as a stream trout lake since 1976 and is stocked annually with rainbow trout. In 2002, brown trout, available as surplus from the State Hatchery system, were also stocked. The best stream trout lakes are lakes where no other fish species exist. When other species exist in the lake, they can be predators on trout or compete with trout for food. In most instances trout lakes are chemically reclaimed to remove other species. Island Lake had no other species present when trout management was initiated in 1976. After 20 years of trout management green sunfish and white sucker were first sampled in the 1996 assessment. It is uncertain how the species was introduced. Since Island Lake is landlocked (no connection to other waters), the most likely scenario is that they were inadvertently stocked via minnow buckets. This is why the use of live bait is prohibited on designated stream trout lakes. Both of these species are now firmly established and green sunfish is now the most dominant species in Island Lake. At this point the presence of undesirable species has not had noticeable impact on trout management. Rainbow trout abundance in 2006 was the highest ever recorded. Rainbow trout ranged in length from 9 - 12 inches with an average length of 10.8 inches. These trout are one year old, originating from the 2005 fall fingerling stocking. Since fingerling trout are stocked annually, the lack of older rainbow trout indicates fairly high angling mortality. Five brown trout were also sampled in 2006 that ranged in length from 19 - 20 inches. Since brown trout have only been stocked once as yearlings in 2002, these fish have survived to age five. Brown trout are notoriously more difficult to catch than rainbows. Since they are able to persist and grow to older ages they provide a bonus quality component to the fishery. Also of interest is that the stomach contents of those sampled held considerable numbers of green sunfish, possibly providing some predatory control on this unwanted species.

Are there any state parks near Wapatus Lake?