Thrasher Lake

How big is Thrasher Lake?

How deep is Thrasher Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Thrasher Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Thrasher Lake?

Thrasher is a designated stream trout lake that has been managed for trout since 1972. Rainbow and Brook Trout have been stocked in this lake in the past, but Splake stocking began in 1982, and since 1995 2,500 Splake fingerlings have been been stocked annually. The goal established for Splake in the latest (2013) lake management plan was to maintain a catch in 0.75-in-mesh trap nets of at least 2.5 fish/net, with three catchable-sized (over 10 inch) year classes present, including some fish larger than 18 inches. An equivalent goal for gill net catches would be to maintain a catch exceeding about 10.0 fish/net. Both goals describe above-average Splake numbers. This was the first of two standard surveys scheduled in the 2013 plan to determine whether temperature-oxygen conditions continued to be suitable for Splake and to determine whether long range goals would continue to be met by the current Splake stocking regime.

Splake were abundant in 2016, and their average size was good, although few large (over 18 inch) fish seemed to have been present. The 2016 Splake gill net catch was one of the highest ever seen in this lake. It was above the normal range (5.0-12.0 fish/net) for spring catches in stream trout lakes in this area, indicating the long range catch goal would have been met in 2016. The catch included four catchable-sized Splake year classes, although no fish over 18 inches were taken. Splake as old as five years were present in relatively high numbers, indicating long term survival had been excellent. Splake growth appeared to have been slow; fish reached a mean length of 13.4 inches at the end of their fourth year, compared to an area average of 15.1 inches. Slow Splake growth may have been due, at least in part, to the sheer numbers of Splake present and competing for forage in this small lake. Splake over 18 inches in length have often been sampled in this lake, but to reach that size, with growth rates observed in 2016, would require survival of some fish to six or seven years of age - rare, but not impossible in lakes like this.

No undesirable or competing fish species were sampled in 2016. The only non-trout fish species ever collected in Thrasher Lake have been Fathead Minnow, Finescale Dace, and Pearl Dace.

Temperature-oxygen measurements made in late August as part of this survey suggest slow growth of Splake could also have been related to stress caused by a lack of suitable cold-water habitat. Splake are believed to have habitat requirements similar to those for Brook Trout. Brook Trout thrive at water temperatures of 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 Thrasher Lake on August 17 2016 found cold-water habitat prefered by Splake, if any existed, was limited to a very narrow band at depths between 10 and 11 ft. Deep waters that might have provided cool enough water lacked sufficient dissolved oxygen, while shallower waters were too warm. While not lethal, warm surface water temperatures observed in 2016 (up to 72.0 F) could have resulted in stress responses, including slower growth, among Splake.

Are there any state parks near Thrasher Lake?