Shoe Lake

How big is Shoe Lake?

How deep is Shoe Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Shoe Lake?

Are there boat launches on Shoe Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Shoe Lake?

Shoe Lake is a designated stream trout lake, currently managed for Splake and Brook Trout. This was the last survey done to evaluate Brook Trout stocking; the 2014 lake management plan (LMP) discontinued that stocking after 2016, and none will remain when the next scheduled survey is done (in 2021). Instead of alternating Brook Trout with Splake, stocking after 2016 will consist of annual stocking of Splake fingerlings. The long range goal for that program is to maintain a minimum Splake gill net catch of 10.0 fish/set (a relatively high catch), with a minimum of three year classes present, and some fish reaching 20 inches in length. Splake were selected mainly for their greater longevity, which allows them to reach larger sizes than Brook Trout in this lake. Surveys to evaluate the change in stocking are planned for 2021 and 2026.

Splake and Brook Trout were abundant in Shoe Lake in the fall of 2016, and some large fish of both species were present. It seemed very likely that goals for the Splake population could be met with annual stocking, and perhaps even with less frequent stocking. Splake had been stocked only in even-numbered years prior to this survey, but the gill net catch was close to the goal, three year classes were present, and fish larger than 20 inches were caught. Splake as old as six years were taken, indicating good long term survival. Good survival, rather than fast growth, accounted for the larger fish seen in this survey. Splake growth had been slower than average; fish reached a mean length of 13.7 inches by the end of their fourth year, compared to an area average of 15.1 inches. Slow growth may have been caused by overly warm surface waters over the summer, or by high competition for forage resulting from the high number of trout apparently present in 2016.

The Brook Trout gill net catch was the highest seen in this lake since 1982, and was near the upper end of the normal range (14.00 fish/set) for catches in fall surveys of stream trout lakes in this area. Stocking done in 2015 and 2013 contributed to the catch, with many three-year-old fish present. Brook Trout growth had also been somewhat slow; on average fish reached a length of 11.9 inches by the end of their third year, compared to an area average of 12.7 inches. It is possible that some fish identified as Brook Trout in this survey were actually Splake, and vice versa. Difficulty in making clear field identifications (even for Fisheries staff) has made it harder to evaluate stocking in this lake, and is one reason Brook Trout stocking will be discontinued.

This survey also measured late-summer temperature-oxygen conditions to determine whether they might be limiting to Splake and Brook Trout, and to determine whether a shift to Rainbow Trout stocking might be needed. Splake are believed to have habitat requirements similar to those for Brook Trout. Brook Trout do best when water temperatures are 68 F or less, with at least 5.0 ppm dissolved oxygen. Water temperatures over 68 F are stressful, and prolonged exposure to those higher temperatures can result in slower growth, particularly among larger fish. Exposure to water temperatures over 77 F can be lethal.

Measurements in Shoe Lake on August 18 2016 did not find good conditions for Splake or Brook Trout at any depth tested. Deep waters that might have provided cool enough water lacked sufficient dissolved oxygen, while shallower waters were too warm. While not lethal, warm waters observed in 2016 could have resulted in stress responses, including slower growth, among both species. Similarly poor temperature-oxygen conditions were observed in the last two profiles obtained in August (2003 and 2007); however, so far it appears that the strain on Brook Trout and Splake has net been excessive (survival has been high and growth rates have been adequate), so a switch to Rainbow Trout is not yet necessary.

Are there any state parks near Shoe Lake?