Christie Lake Fish Habitat Project
Cottage development along Christie Lake, Ontario has resulted in the loss of in-water structures due to cottagers removing and “cleaning up” their shoreline properties. This project created brush/tree bundles and sunk them in waters greater than 12 feet deep to provide fish habitat without impeding boat traffic. These in-water structures (often called fishsticks) provide excellent nursery habitat for many species such as walleye, yellow perch, bass, crappie and panfish. The structures also provide habitat for the forage base species, such as minnows, and for invertebrates essential for a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Top predator fish species such as pike, walleye, and bass will use these structures for shelter and feeding locations to wait for prey species to pass by. Brush bundles have been placed at approximately 19 sites in Christie Lake in the fall of 2015.
The second phase of this project took place in the fall of 2015, five shoreline properties on Christie Lake were planted with native vegetation to enhanceand restore the shoreline buffers.
Christie Lake continued their project in 2016 with additional funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The remaining brush needed for this project was gathered from area residents and volunteers and Watersheds Canada staff gathered for the building of additional brush bundles in the fall of 2016. Sites were located and recorded using GPS coordinates and small water craft driven by volunteers moved the brush bundles to the designated sites. Twenty additional brush bundles were created and placed in the locations around the lake.
This project has taken place in partnership with the Christie Lake Association, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, the Lanark County Stewardship Council, the Lanark & District Fish and Game Club, 14th Gloucester Venturer Scout Company and Camp Opemikon.
In partnership with grassroots organizations and local volunteers, Watersheds Canada has completed many fish habitat restoration projects across Eastern and Central Ontario over the past nine years, including walleye spawning bed enhancements, cold-water creek enhancements, trout spawning bed enhancements, and in-water habitat enhancements through the deployment of brush piles (woody debris). If you think your Ontario waterfront community could benefit from a fish habitat enhancement project, please check out the free Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit: Watersheds.ca/download-the-fish-habitat-enhancement-toolkit/
Special thanks to the generous funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program.
