Fish

A moderate population of fish, including catfish, largemouth bass, perch and sunfish, are more-or-less native to Lake Burien, though some varieties may have been introduced by man in the early 1900’s. Other aquatic creature are crawdads, bullfrogs, and turtles—now quite rare. More desirable native trout varieties that would have been expected are no longer present, perhaps due to lost access to suitable silt-free spawning beds. In the early 1960’s, several residents operated small rearing pens for hatchery rainbow fry and were able to release each fall perhaps 200 to 300 legal-size fish per year. Those that survived till spring showed excellent growth --11" to 12" size and deep-bodied. The lake is said to contain fresh-water shrimp and perhaps other feeds which are especially nutritious. Some rainbows survived for a number of years and reached lengths 18" - 22". Several of the resident boys who were keen on fishing got to know the deep-fishing spots so well that they could consistently catch these big trout. In true sportsman style they would release the fish so as to return perhaps the next weekend and repeat the process. They even knew the individual fish, perhaps even by name. Some very large trout have been caught by youngsters off the docks between Graves and Gwinn’s. A large rainbow from some unknown source was caught only last year by some young boys in a boat not far off Sealey’s dock using a live minnow from the lake. A fair number of bass.- some real lunkers - are taken every summer by plug-casters rowing by and casting toward docks and logs.

Back in the 1950’s there was a planting of 7" rainbow by the Game Dept. at the road-end between Breda’s and Anderson’s’. This was a very substantial planting and occurred at the Department’s instigation, seeking a public access "for a few days after which the residents would reap the big gains".

This promise was fulfilled, but the opening dawn was a chaotic frenzy of would-be anglers. Residents who had to put up with the noise and traffic were shocked and angry. Al Breda, the "Mr. Nice Guy" who provided the easement so the lake folks could have this great fishing, ended-up catching a lot of flack from the community and had to rescind the easement. And sure enough the residents had spectacular fishing all summer long.