2022 Muskrat River Walleye Spawning Bed Enhancement Project
Since 2000, the Muskrat River in Renfrew County, Ontario has seen various stages of rehabilitation completed to help the once thriving walleye population. Most notably, stones were added to the spawning bed under Ministry of Natural Resources direction.
In recent years, the Muskrat River suffered a flooding event which silted out the walleye spawning bed. Since that event, spawning numbers have drastically decreased. Because walleye is a very sensitive fish species, siltation negatively affects their spawning beds. Silt covers the eggs, preventing them from being adequately oxygenated. This increases embryonic (early-stage development) walleye mortality.
With approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, the restoration of the historic walleye spawning site was completed in two steps in fall 2022. First, community members and staff swept the bed to stir up the silt. Next, volunteers came through with a power hose to push the silt downstream into a silt curtain. The gas-powered water pump and hoses were lent thanks to Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) – Zone F. A silt curtain was placed downstream at the end of the spawning bed where the Muskrat River opens up into Jeffrey Lake. The curtain minimized impacts on the system as it captured silt which was later disposed of on land.
This project will restore the local walleye spawning bed, allowing for a population increase over the next few years. Due to the previous enhancement decades ago, the spawning bed has adequate substrate, and washing the bed will bring it back to its original state. This rehabilitation event also brought the community together, strengthening their efforts to ensure Olmstead and Jeffreys Lakes remain healthy for future generations. Monitoring of the spawning bed will continue by volunteers and staff in early spring 2023.
This fish habitat enhancement project was possible thanks to a grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, and strong community support and involvement from Olmstead Jeffrey Lake Association, Muskrat Watershed Council, OFAH Zone F, Algonquin College – Environmental Technician Program from the Pembroke Campus, and Watersheds Canada.
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/
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