LINCOLN TRAIL LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CHANNEL CATFISH: Located within Lincoln Trail State Park, approximately two miles south of Marshall in Clark County. The lake covers 146 surface acres with a maximum depth of 35 feet and average depth of 15.9 feet. A 10 h.p. boat motor restriction is in effect. Public boat launching facilities are available. A good number of catfish were collected (12-20 inches) in the 2003 fish population survey. Reports from park staff, concession managers, and anglers, indicate that catfish fishing is good. A large number of channel catfish are taken at night. A six catfish/day creel limit exists.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: LINCOLN TRAIL LAKE - is located within
Lincoln Trail State Park, approximately two miles south of Marshall in
Clark County. The lake covers 146 surface acres with a maximum depth of
35 feet and average depth of 15.9 feet. Free public boat launching facilities
are available. There is a 10 h.p. motor limit on this lake. A 14 18 inch
slot length limit became effective in April 2002. There is a four (4)
fish daily creel limit, of which only one (1) can be over 18 inches.
Largemouth bass in this lake have excellent natural recruitment due to abundant aquatic vegetation, resulting in a self sustaining bass fishery. A good catch and release fishery exists at the present time. The results of the 2003 fall fish population survey resulted in a catch rate of 51 bass, age 1 or older, per hour which is good for this lake due to clear water and less than ideal conductivity levels. A high density of bass occurs in this lake, however the size structure is not as high of quality as desired.
A high percentage of the bass collected in the most recent survey were within the 14 18 inch slot length limit. Low harvest rates of bass below the slot length limit contributes to slower growth rates and reduced recruitment through the protected range. This is a lake that would benefit greatly from increased angler harvest of largemouth bass. This would increase growth rates and recruitment through the protected range. Bass fishing prospects are rated as good for catch rates, fair to good for quality.
