A Primer on the History of Fish Habitat Management in Wisconsin Lakes

Abstract

"The importance of habitat has often been overlooked in fisheries management, yet suitable habitat conditions are imperative for the sustainability of fish populations. Essential fish habitat includes suitable water quality and spawning, juvenile nursery and refuge, and foraging habitat. Early structural fish habitat enhancements for lakes usually included the additions of fish cribs and rock bars. Fish structural habitat enhancements have evolved to simulate more natural processes with the additions of tree drops and “fish sticks”. Given that fish productivity has declined in some Wisconsin lakes over time, tree drops and “fish sticks” are a logical fisheries habitat enhancement approach to support littoral-based food webs and fish production, but may not be beneficial to all fish species. Integrated, ecosystem-based habitat management approaches for lakes that include within lake, riparian zone, and watershed scale considerations are likely to provide the broadest benefits to Wisconsin’s diverse fish communities and their habitat needs.

Presenter: Greg Sass, WI Department of Natural Resources (Climate Change)"