2025 Paudash Lake Brush Bundle Project
For the second year in a row, Watersheds Canada’s Fish Habitat team has returned to Paudash Lake, ON to deploy in-water woody debris to support native fish species.
On September 9th, 2025, staff met with members of the lake community to deliver a brush bundle project. Brush bundles, piles of branches and sticks that are tied together and weighted with a cinder block, were deployed in strategic areas away from boat traffic routes. The locations of the bundles were also documented with GPS markers so they can be easily monitored in the future.
A total of 20 brush bundles were created and deployed by the team. Each one will support countless fish, amphibians, and reptiles that rely on such woody debris for shelter, and for feeding on the rich communities of macroinvertebrates that flock to them. This includes species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, and northern pike.
Combined, the two brush bundle projects help address a critical need on the lake for more in-water woody debris. Modern-day shoreline owners tend to clear trees and shrubs near the shoreline to improve their view, and even remove them from the water so they do not impede swimming and boating. These changes to our shoreline and near-shore areas have drastic impacts on local fish populations.
Thanks to the help of partner Paudash Lake Conservation Association, Watersheds Canada was able to take direct action to build back the fish habitat that was lost. This project was generously funded by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and Apsley Home Hardware Building Centre. 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 decade, including walleye spawning bed enhancements, cold-water creek enhancements, lake 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:
Apsley Home Hardware Building Centre
