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As most know by now, Lake Tapps is at an all time low. My biggest worry as a local, is what is this going to do to this fishery? While you could go out and catch a million rats, it was starting to produce some better quality bags. You could catch a 12-14lb bag out there in recent years with an occasional TANK LM.

I contacted the WSDFW and asked about what they expected these low levels to do to the fishery. The lady I spoke with said that the WSDFW was working closely with the Cascade Water Alliance and will be restocking the lake. With what?! We don't have SM stalking programs here in WA so I was confused. She then said they hoped that the majority of the fish found the deeper pools that still hold water. My first thought was a pool with perch, bass, crappie and TIGER MUSKIE BUFFET! I'm guessing the majority of the HOA boards around the lake could care less about the fishery as long as there is water for jetskis and wakeboards.

Anyone else have thoughts about the future of this fishery? Will it even be affected that much by the low water levels?

Curious..

Thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Well at least its winter and predatory fish wont eat as frequently as normal.  My guess is birds will play the biggest role in the number of fish killed in this drawdown.  I think those fish normally pull out to the areas that still have water this time of year so my gut tells me it will be fine. 

Pick a different lake to live on if you want to fish. Both times I went there it was more annoying than samammish.
Didn't Banks do a draw down to super low levels? How'd that work out?

"TIGER MUSKIE BUFFET"? No. Dead bass along with all other fish species in the lake? Yes, that's certain. I have no idea what this fishery will look like this season or several seasons to follow but I'm certain that it won't be positive. I'm not a biologist and it's foolish on my part to play one but I have no doubts in my mind that the fish are struggling. The water was dropped very fast and some fish were trapped in pools that eventually dried/or unable to support an adequate food source. I'm not an expert on jack... but in 25 or so years, I've never seen Lake Tapps like this. As much as the future of fishing this lake leaves questions, I'm more irritated by Cascade Water Alliance claiming no trespassing on the lake. I took a recent trip to see the lake levels and found a slough of garbage, even found three separate TV's. I took my kids out in the attempt to show them to be good stewards and we would pick up the trash. We were told by CWA that we would be fined. I then asked if they would be cleaning it up and the said no. Go figure....

Anyhow, I share in your frustration but no need to be concerned about the muskies dining on bass.

I live on the lake and to put it quite frankly, I am sick to my stomach. I know there are a few deep pools that the fish have found to weather this draw down, but as other people have mentioned, they drew it down fast, so my guess would be that quite a few of the fish did not make it out. Take for example, the water next to the clubhouse on Tapps Island. It is almost dry and is extremely muddy. I have a feeling that quite a few fish got caught in this pool. There are a couple of deep pools that are holding the fish, but I am worried about those being over populated now and as mentioned above, birds preying on these fish. I know the eagles by my house (Tapps Island) are loving life right now. I am also disgusted with Cascade Water Alliance with how they handled this draw down and basically how they have handled the lake since they took it over. I would bet my paycheck that they are driving towards something like Lake Whatcom did or a lot of the California lakes. I have waterfront but honestly, I wish I lived back in Enumclaw right about now.

Makes me angry.  Been having 20-30 average fish days out there last couple years.  Average weight has increased, and the quantity of 3lbr's has dramatically increased.  What a shame.  Who needs to care to fix this.  Are they "Private fish" cause CWA owns the ground under them?  Seems like WE, in a sense, own the fish since we pay taxes, parking permits, launch fees, and fishing licenses.

I wonder what it takes to turn a lake into a Trophy Lake in Washington?  Our Bass flourish, with seemingly NO help, quite well (game dept. quote); yet, Fish and Game seems to pick out certain lakes to be Trophy Crappie Lakes (like Sawyer) or Trophy Trout Lakes and give them all kinds of special treatments like slot limits, and hours of study, etc...

Why couldn't Tapps be cared for and protected (or any other lake on the Westside) for the purpose of Trophy Bass Fishing?  Is it us, the bassfisherman's fault for not organizing, or is all the blame on the fisheries dept?  I know there are "protected" lakes, like Coffeepot in Eastern Wa were there are efforts to protect the Largemouth.  Just curious...

Cascade Water Alliance

520 112th Ave. NE Suite 400
Bellevue, WA 98004

425.453.0930
contact@cascadewater.org

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