2002 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Chapman Lake (Spokane County)

Chapman Lake (Spokane County) was surveyed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists on June 3â€"5, 2002. Fish were captured using boat electrofishing, gill netting, and fyke netting. Nine fish species were collected. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was the most abundant species by weight (52%) and number (36%). Smallmouth bass (M. dolumieu) were also abundant at 12% of the catch by weight. Pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibossus) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were the most abundant panfish, comprising 12% of the sample by weight. Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss) were also sampled and comprised 13% of the catch by weight. Largemouth and smallmouth bass appear to dominate the warmwater fish community at Chapman Lake. Largemouth bass are most abundant, but both species grow to quality size. Yellow perch and pumpkinseed sunfish, although abundant, likely offer only limited angling opportunity due to their mostly small size. However, these species likely provide a good forage base for bass, which exhibited high condition. Rainbow trout and kokanee were present in multiple size classes, which shows good stocking success. We recommend that managers continue with the current management course, which continues to provide anglers with good opportunities for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee, and rainbow trout.