A walleye spawning bed was also washed and restored on Baptiste Lake.
Volunteers took the brush bundles out in boats, where they were tied to cement blocks and dropped down to anchor at pre-approved spots on the lakes.
Robert Pye, Executive Director of Watersheds Canada, explained why development on area lakes can negatively impact fish populations and how brush bundles, or what some people call ‘fish sticks’ can help.
“Debris is a natural component of lake systems, and as more lakes like Baptist get developed we find that more shoreline debris is cleaned up by property owners and it doesn’t end up in the lake….but that debris structure is really critical for fish habitat, especially for foraging, for hiding spots, places for nursery habitat.”
Pye went on to express appreciation for all the volunteers that had shown up that day.
“There’s people here that came to volunteer that said ‘we don’t even fish, but we see the value in this for the lake.’ So it’s great to hear that perspective. We’re deploying 20 brush bundles today (on Baptiste) and it’s going to make a critical difference.”
Dozens of community volunteers have come out to help at brush bundle drops on local lakes.
Brush bundle projects have been completed by Watersheds Canada and community partners on 16 lakes across Central-Eastern Ontario.
Watersheds Canada has also delivered walleye spawning bed enhancement projects on nine lakes across Central-Eastern Ontario. More information about past fish habitat projects can be found on at Watersheds Canada.
The initiative has been supported by many groups including both the Baptiste and Paudash Lake Associations, the Bancroft Area Stewardship Council, North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery, Leveque Bros., Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Ontario Bass Nation, OFAH Community Conservation Fund, iA Financial Group, Ontario Wildlife Foundation, and J.P. Bickell Foundation.
