Castle Lake Limnological Research Station

Overview

Castle Lake contains three types of fish--the Golden Shiner, the Brook Char (Brook Trout), and the Rainbow Trout. The Golden Shiner is a minnow that was introduced into the lake by anglers who were using them as bait and left their remaining bait in the lake. The Brook Char was originally stocked by the Department of Fish and Game and now reproduces naturally in the springs on the east side of the lake. The Rainbow Trout is stocked annually by the Department of Fish and Game for sport fishing.

The Golden Shiners and other young fish spend the daylight hours in the shallow areas of the lake among logs and other obstructions hiding from the larger predatory fish and birds. In the evening these fish move into the open lake to feed on zooplankton.

During the spring Rainbow Trout and Brook Char feed mainly on insects like the Midge Fly. In the summer when the surface temperatures are too warm for these trout, they go deeper to feed mainly on zooplankton.

This explains why anglers are usually more successful during the spring and fall when surface temperatures are lower than in the summer. The most successful fishing strategy during the summer is trolling 15 to 20 feet deep where the lake is cooler.

Species List

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Brook Char (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoliecas)

Fish References

• Cordone, A. J. and S. J. Nicola. 1970. Influence of molybdenum on the
  trout and trout fishing of Castle Lake. Calif. Fish and Game.
  56:96-108.
• Swift, M. C. 1970. A qualitative and quantitative study for trout food in Castle Lake, California. Calif. Fish and Game. 56:109-120.
• Wales, J. H. 1946. Castle Lake trout investigation: First Phase: Interrelationships of four species. Calif. Fish and Game. 32:109-143.
• Wurtsbaugh, W. A., R. W. Brocksen and C. R. Goldman. 1975. Food and distribution of underyearling brook and rainbow trout in Castle Lake, California. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 104:88-95.