The most popular activity at Winchester Lake is fishing for rainbow trout, which are planted regularly by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Fishing for perch, tiger muskie, bass and blue gill is also popular. The lake provides excellent nutrients and supports large populations of all four species. Small boats are allowed; gasoline engines are not.
Tolo Lake onthe Camas Prarie is located just minutes from the lodge. The lake was named after a Nez Perce woman who brought news of the outbreak to miners in Florence. Known as Tulekats Chikchamit, her Nez Perce name was corrupted to “Tule” and then “Tolo” by non-Indians. In gratitude for her courage and loyalty, she was the only Nimiipuu given an allotment outside the reservation. She died in 1920, and is buried in Winona, Idaho. The 30-acre Tolo Lake is owned by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDF&G). In September 1994 IDF&G cooperated with The Friends of Tolo Lake to improve sh and wildlife habitat. A century of silt was removed and refashioned into islands for waterfowl. In September, 1994 a worker saw something in the muck—a huge bone! Authorities identi ed it as a Columbian Mammoth. A hasty two-week paleontological recovery of prehistoric mammoth and bison ensued. Work resumed in August 1995, resulting in recovery of three mammoth skeletons and an ancient bison skull. Other fossils were left in place as a preservation measure.
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