1999 Lake Desire Survey: The Warmwater Fish Community of a Productive Inland Lake Historically Managed for Trout

In order to manage the mixed species fishery of Lake Desire (King County) more effectively, the WDFW Warmwater Enhancement Program conducted a stock assessment in spring 1999. The fish community in the littoral zone of Lake Desire was dominated by warmwater species, particularly pumpkinseed and largemouth bass. Rapid growth and low numbers characterized the community. Growth of largemouth bass was above average and PSD values were within ranges generally accepted for balanced communities. Growth of pumpkinseed, the dominant forage species, was also above average, but PSD values were lower than those generally accepted for balanced communities. The alternative forage species, yellow perch, demonstrated rapid growth, but while age classes were more evenly distributed, their density was much lower. The largemouth bass population may be limited by a small forage base. Rainbow trout inhabiting the pelagic zone of the lake were relatively abundant and demonstrated high relative weights. These findings suggest Lake Desire should continue to be managed as a mixed species fishery. Options that might improve the warmwater component of this fishery include, but are not limited to, assessment and identification of critical habitat, change existing fishing rules to alter size structure of largemouth bass, or change existing fishing rules to increase populations of forage fish