The excess water of Star Lake spills over a small impoundment and is then forced through the
narrowness of a six foot long culvert where it speeds up and mixes in air bubbles before it tumbles out and becomes the Star Lake Outlet Stream – a more romantic name it could use.

In the spring for less than two weeks the Outlet Stream becomes a water park of aquatic life that hangs out in the oxygen rich water that is looking for place to breed; a quiet place to deposit their eggs in the sand, gravel and in the crevices between the rocks or in the brush that has been forced to the edges by the current.

One day was surprised to find hiding in the rocks (the long black object) a Burbot – also called an Eelpout , a fresh water member of the cod family, spends most of its time in deep cold water – what was it doing in the Outlet?

Yellow Bullheads

For those two weeks in spring you could pass by the Outlet Stream on a hike and stop on top of the culvert, look down and notice the flowing of the water and little else and go on your way. I consider it a privilege to put on my mask and snorkel, ease myself into the stream and become a part of this ritual of spring and photo it to share with others.

I look below the surface and witness the intoxicated struggle of the temporary inhabitants that don’t stop or take much to notice me in the ever changing flow of life in the Outlet Stream. These photos are compilation of spring visits from the last 3 years to the Star Lake Outlet look them over closely and see how many things you can name – not only its species but also give them a name, Jan, Stu, Angelica …

Suckers! or in Latin - Catostomus!