Mendocino National Forest

Letts Lake

[Photograph]: Scenic view of Letts Lake. Letts Lake recieved enhancement work in 2003 to improve recreational opportunities. The lake was partially drained, but enough water remained to allow the fish populations to survive. An excavator was used to remove selected plants in shallow parts of the lake. A small sand beach was created on the south shore and the boat launch area was deepened. The lake will be ready for use as the snow melting allows access to the lake.

Please be aware that the bass population far exceeds the available food supply and that most of the bass are under 12 inches. This situation makes it likely that an angler could catch many small bass, but it's difficult to catch "the big one".

Anglers can help manage their fishery by helping thin out some of the smaller bass. The state of California has instituted special fishing regulations at Letts Lake for the last few years that currently allow anglers to take 5 bass per day with no minimum size limit. It would be best to release the larger bass to allow them to eat smaller fish and perhaps be caught another day. Consuming smaller bass will allow the remaining bass to eat more and grow larger.

Fish Species Present:

[Photograph]: Accessible fishing platform at Letts Lake.Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and golden shiners. The California Department of Fish and Game plants Letts Lake with catchable rainbow trout. The bass are a self-sustaining population. Catfish were planted several years ago and a few large fish remain in the lake. The golden shiners were illegally introduced as bait fish.

Anglers should not make additional fish plants. Please never bring live baitfish to Letts Lake. Both actions are illegal and harm your fishery resources.

Letts Lake Fishery History:

[Photograph]: Biologists prepare Rotenone applications.Letts Lake is a 35-acre impoundment built in the early 1950s. Trout were planted in the lake soon after dam construction. They grew well and the Letts received considerable notoriety, soon becoming one the most popular fishing destinations on the Eastside of the Mendocino National Forest.

[Photograph]: Crayfish in Letts Lake.Fishing has had its ups and downs at Letts over the last 50 years. Aquatic plant and animal populations are dynamic and Letts Lake is no exception. Letts Lake was created on top of a wet meadow that had deep, rich soils. It is located in an area with warm summers and wet winters. The combination of an excellent growing climate and nutrient-rich water led to Letts Lake becoming somewhat weedy and murky. This is a typical pattern in small mountain reservoirs in this area.

The golden shiners thrived in the weedy and warm areas of the lake. And, because shiners eat many of the same things trout do, they became a direct competitors for food. In an effort to improve conditions for trout the California Department of Fish and Game chemically treated Letts Lake with rotenone in 1965, 1976, and again in 1978. Each time the shiner population returned with vigor. Shiners may have been re-introduced after each treatment or not all were killed in the chemical treatments.

Fish are identified and measuredIn 1980-81 the Department used biological control of golden shiners and introduced largemouth bass, channel catfish, and red-ear sunfish. Biological control worked very well and the hungry bass and catfish did nearly eliminate the golden shiners. The formally very abundant crayfish population also was nearly eliminated by the bass and catfish. Conditions for trout improved markedly during this period, and remains good today. The lake water became clearer after the bass and catfish eliminated the shiners. But, a new problem arose, rooted aquatic plants increased somewhat because they had more light in the clearer water. The likely reason the water became clearer is that the shiners had been eating the zooplankton (very small aquatic animals), which in turn had been eating the small phytoplankton (very small drifting aquatic plants). The sheer number of phytoplankton individuals is what makes the water murky at times.

[Photograph]: Monitoring fish with a "Beach Seine" (a type of net).The introduction of bass and catfish made Letts a "two story" fishery with both warm and cold water fish species. Angling opportunities were increased. The Department of Fish and Game continues to stock rainbow trout, and occasionally Eastern brook trout. A few trout carry over more than one season and occasional large trout are taken each year.

The bass and catfish fishing was excellent for several years but has recently developed some problems. Most bass caught now are in the 5-8 inch range. This is due to several factors including heavy fishing pressure on bass over 12 inches and the lack of adequate prey species. Catfish are seldom caught since they do not reproduce in the lake and they have not been restocked since the initial introduction. The California Department of Fish and Game is working to correct the fish imbalance and provide the best possible fishing.

Facts about Letts:

  • The maximum depth is 18 feet.
  • The average depth is about 6 feet.
  • The trail around the lake is 1 ¼ miles long.
  • The lake has 35 surface acres.
  • The summer surface water temperature is typically about 77°.
  • The fishing pier and restrooms are fully-accessible.
[Map]: Printable map of Letts Lake area.

 

Map of Letts Lake

During the summer of 1999, members of the Colusa County 4H, made this map of Letts Lake for the benefit of the lake visitors. The 4H youths measured the depths of the lake and than made the contour map. They have completed a brochure that contains the map and a human history of the area. The brochure is available at the Stonyford Workcenter office and at the lake. Be sure to look for it!

[Printer] Printable Version
 
 
 
 
[Link]: United States Department of Agriculture national web site. [Link]: Forest Service national web site.