There weren’t no fish there the last time I looked down into it.
Frankly, I would rather they left the place alone, to see how it comes back with minimal human influence, but if there are fish, people will sneak in and fish it anyway.
We were there in 86 at a vantage point where the lake was on our right. The lake surface was entirely covered by felled trees. I don’t remember seeing water. It looked like a valley full of felled timber strangely all aligned in one direction. I’d imagine that after 28 years, some or most of the surface is clear enough for fishing and boating.
Great looking trout. Hopefully the lake will open to fishing soon.
Thanks for posting this Doug.
Mark
More Images: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/mtsthelens/photo-gallery/photos/pages/cc-rbwtrout-spirit-lake_tif_jpg.htm
http://www.photoseek.com/85HEL-01-24-Mt-St-Helens.jpg
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/mtsthelens/photo-gallery/photos/pages/cc-spiritlake_tif_jpg.htm
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/1035468804_51b941dc62.jpg?v=0
http://i.pbase.com/u42/bystander/upload/33473785.101_0159_RJ.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2342911711_88e884b69c.jpg?v=0
Doug
Does anyone know where these fish came from?I think it sounds great.what good are the fish if no one gets to catch them? I can think of few people more respectful toward the land besides people who camp and people who fly fish.A well managed c&r program combined with a lottery system sounds perfect.
Here is a page that talks about the trout in Spirit Lake (You might need a magnifier): http://books.google.com/books?id=ZNOlAhK3DuAC&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&dq=origin+of+spirit+lake+trout&source=bl&ots=zakTOtivYD&sig=FE7GwbqSBhUpK9H4EVZb6XlNoDs&hl=en&ei=82a9SaeBBomMsAO814Q3&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result
Source:http://books.google.com/books?id=ZNOlAhK3DuAC&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&dq=origin+of+spirit+lake+trout&source=bl&ots=zakTOtivYD&sig=FE7GwbqSBhUpK9H4EVZb6XlNoDs&hl=en&ei=F2a9SZCiIYmMsAOZ2oQ3&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPP1,M1
Doug
Thanks DS.A very good article.
That looks great minus all the trees in the water!! I would love to go in there and catch some fish, anyone with me? B:shock:etter open it soon!! Great pics and info. I heard about this lake before but didnt know about it, now i do thanx everyone!!
Th entire landscape around St. Helen was unworldly after the eruption.
We went through there about the same time Marco did ( '86 ). Driving along through lush green forest, come over a hill, and as far as you could see in any direction a barren scene of trees on the ground all lined up in one direction like so many match sticks laid out by hand. Millions of them.
Spirit Lake was almost completely covered with floating logs. If you didn’t know there was a lake there, you probably would not have guessed, at least not from any distance.
I would prefer the entire area stay as natural as possible, with no fishing allowed at Spirit Lake. Maybe a symbol that we humans don’t have to meddle with everything within our reach.
John
“I would prefer the entire area stay as natural as possible, with no fishing allowed at Spirit Lake. Maybe a symbol that we humans don’t have to meddle with everything within our reach.”
On second thought John, I generally do not hug trees ,but, in this case, I’ll agree with you.
Mark
John and Mark…pretty much have to agree,in fact, seems just not right that the rainbows were likely an unauthorized plant:(.
I have to side with John and Marco on this one. Some places just don’t need or want people, this is one of them.
I think I would be for keeping the lake closed if the fish would have been naturally occuring. The other thing that concerns me a bit is the fact they mentioned holding a raffle for a limited and controlled amount of fishing times. I have said that many other fisheries in the state of WA could see a lottery or raffle system in the future. If they do this and the raffle works it could open up other fisheries to the same system of management.