For Immediate Release September 10, 2002	Contact: John Weinheimer (360) 906-6746 Neil Oliver (509) 395-3370 Linda Turner (360) 891-5008

Mosquito Lake Dam Repair Closes Boat Ramp

The small earthen and concrete dam on Mosquito Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, about 15 miles northwest of Trout Lake, will be repaired this fall. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest have coordinated their efforts to begin a two-day repair project on Monday, September 23. The lake level will be dropped approximately one foot starting about September 16, before the work begins. The boat ramp will be closed on September 23 and 24 while the Forest road crew is working.

Aaron Kilgore, a member of the White Salmon Steelheaders Club and avid trout fisherman, proposed this project to the South Gifford Pinchot Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for funding in 2002. This project and 11 others were recommended by the South RAC for a total of $468,356.

Resource Advisory Committees are required under new county payments legislation to review and recommend proposals for funding projects that improve national forest lands.

Mosquito Lake is 31 acres in size and is located at 3890 feet in elevation. It is a popular trout fishing lake for eastern brook trout. Hundreds of people fish this lake annually by small boats or float tubes. Shore access is difficult because of wetlands surrounding the lake. There is a boat ramp and parking lot next to the dam just off of Forest Road 8851.

John Weinheimer, WDFW District Fish Biologist, does not anticipate that this project will cause an inconvenience to boaters or anglers while the repair work is being done. Other fall fishing opportunities in the area can be found at Goose and Steamboat lakes. For more information, contact John Weinheimer at 360-906-6746, or the Mt. Adams Ranger District office at 509-395-3400.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
10 September 2002