2024 In-Water Structures Project – Paudash Lake
Delivered in partnership with the Paudash Lake Conservation Association and Ontario Bass Nation, Watersheds Canada led a fish habitat restoration project on Paudash Lake, Ontario in September 2024. Twenty piles of woody debris were built on-land by community volunteers, anchored with concrete blocks, and then deployed in strategic areas away from boat traffic routes. GPS coordinates were gathered for each spot where brush bundles were deployed and the coordinates were submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for monitoring purposes.
Woody debris like branches and logs are important habitat areas for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and panfish in the lake. These fish species use these areas for resting, hiding, finding food, and spawning. For example, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass often build their nests close to coarse woody habitat. Largemouth bass increase their growth rate when there is woody habitat available because they are able to search and capture prey more easily without using as much energy. Community-led efforts like this project have ensured critical habitat is available for fish species in Paudash Lake. A special thank you to Ontario Bass Nation’s Conservation Director, Zachary White, for his volunteer support during this project.
This project was generously funded by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and Ontario Bass Nation. All Watersheds Canada fish habitat projects are completed with applicable permits and approval by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
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/
Thanks to:
Diamond Lake Association
