Type Endorheic Lake Basin countries United States Area 202 ha Cities Dorris, Macdoel | Primary inflows Surface area 500 acres (200 ha) Surface elevation 1,246 m | |
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Location Butte Valley, Eastern Siskiyou County, California Primary outflows evaporation, seepage to aquifer | ||
From whaleback to indian tom lake
Indian Tom Lake is a 500-acre (2.0 km2), shallow, natural lake located in the western portion of Butte Valley, in eastern Siskiyou County. The lake is a remnant of a larger lake that occupied the entire valley when temperatures were cooler and is fed seasonally by several creeks in Butte Valley. The area around the lake was the home of the Modoc people prior to European contact. Indian Tom Lake is one of California's State Public Hunting Areas for duck and geese.
Contents
- From whaleback to indian tom lake
- Map of Indian Tom Lake California 96023 USA
- LocationEdit
- HydrologyEdit
- FishingEdit
- References
Map of Indian Tom Lake, California 96023, USA
LocationEdit
Indian Tom Lake is inside the northern boundaries of the Butte Valley Wildlife Area managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with Meiss Lake which is also a part of the wildlife area. The lake is near California's border with Oregon, and the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge at the junction of Highway 161 and the Dorris-Brownell Road. The location of the lake is fully within the Pacific Flyway.
HydrologyEdit
Indian Tom Lake has no outlet and its waters are not used for irrigation. The lake is shallow and alkaline due to its high salt content and is home to the brine shrimp.
FishingEdit
Indian Tom Lake is a put-and-take fishery for Lahontan cutthroat trout stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Indian Tom Lake has also been stocked with Eagle Lake trout from California's Eagle Lake which has a similar level of alkalinity as Indian Tom Lake, giving the fish its ability to withstand high alkalinity.
Fishing is successful in the spring, when the water is clear and the fish are hungry and vibrant. Because Indian Tom Lake is shallow, it is vulnerable to weed growth in the warmer summer temperatures, making it too late in the fishing season for good catches.