First off, let’s not continue to confuse fish habitat with fish attractors. There are many substabtial differences between the two and what each product is intended for. Both products attract fish, but only habitat holds the future of fishing.

Under the Fisheries Act, fish habitat is defined as: “Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life process. (Fisheries Act Section 34(1))”.

Artificial fish habitat as defined above, is simply habitat that is man made with materials not found in nature. Although made from mainly plastics, the intended goal is absolutely the same. Reproduction and protection of more fish.

The planting of native aquatic plants, installing brush, rock, deadfalls and timber would be considered supplemental natural habitat. These types of materials succeed in replacing natural materials that have decayed or have been lost to siltation, erosion and development, but were once present.

Artificial fish attractors attract larger fish and little more, accomplishing the intended task as designed. Open in design and able to see through, generally tubes and sticks that are easy to get fishing lures around, they attract larger fish to a designated area for a short time in transition between cover, made for fisherman to enjoy. One job well done when placed and designed in such a manner that the desired species of fish feel comfortable using it. More at fishiding.com

Read the full story here……….

Silt and sedimentation are clogging our nation’s waterways and reservoirs. Years of fluctuating water levels, erosion, development, nutrient loading and decomposition of natural materials, have put these waters in dire need of improvements. Fish habitat, which includes habitat for countless other equally important aquatic organisms, lacks to the degree on many U.S, waters, that no amount of fish stocking can improve the fishery. Without adequate habitat, the fish simply cannot survive.

I met Shane Titus, Seneca Nation of Indians Fishery manager over three years ago as we began to talk about fish stocking, fluctuating water levels and ways of improving overall fish habitat on the Allegany River/Reservoir. Shane contacted me directly to understand more about our artificial habitat products and working together with ways to improve his local conditions. Here is a man with a unique perspective on Tribal rights as well as American U.S./State policies. Proudly having an Indian mother and Italian father, his gentle blend of both “sides”, make it evident that he is a special and highly qualified man for this job. His utmost concern is for the land, waters and the creatures within, helping sustain this natural environment, which breathtakingly surrounds himself and his people in western New York.

Shane understands the benefits of adding habitat. He has installed habitat structures in the reservoir for many years and has a quite impressive reputation as a fisherman. “Because the reservoir is so lacking of good habitat, almost anything you add will usually hold some fish.” Prime habitat for all animals, including fish, focuses around diversity. All of the same is rarely best, no different than we humans see things. A less stressful environment grows healthy beings and fish health also is directly related to the stress they encounter surviving from fry through adulthood.

To best understand a healthy fish habitat, imagine a large tract of mature hardwood forest, noticing the plants from tiny grasses and ferns, up to shrubs, bushes and trees. Countless shapes, textures, densities and elevations provide unlimited choices of surroundings, depending on creatures needs. Tiny bugs and insects, utilize the fine forest floor, hiding and grazing on the abundant food available. Birds eat berries and some of those bugs, from the lower branches of bushes and undergrowth, while they defensively watch for danger from above or below.  Deer, rabbit, and other small game enjoy the shade from the undergrowth as they hunt or rest. The bigger the tract of forest, the more variety and abundance animals it can/will sustain. Fish habitat is no different than a mature and healthy forest, requiring infinite variety to support diversity and abundance.

Increasing fish habitat groupings on a large scale creates unique areas and corridors for fish to flourish and increase in numbers, not simply attracting a few fish to the area for potential fisherman/predator fish to enjoy.  The surface area of the habitat grows the food (periphyton) with more area being best and essential to a healthy eco-system. Tight, dense shaded areas are essential for small fish to hide and graze within the protection the substrate offers. Dense, ultra-fine cover at the water’s edge restores the once healthy mass of roots and aquatic plants, grasses and invertebrates that young fish need. Natural weed beds and large rocks once provided this surface area for periphyton and algae to grow, but now they have been lost to sedimentation.

Titus was instrumental in obtaining a grant to help construct a new fish hatchery on the Reservation a few years back, which is now pumping out walleye and smallmouth fry annually for the Allegany.

His next goal was to get the financial help needed to begin to reclaim areas of the Allegany Reservoir that had been degraded. “We have almost no shallow cover left for the fry, due to erosion and siltation. Bays that lock in fish as they lower the water levels, killing everything left. We need to scoop that stuff out so they can navigate in and out like they used to be able to.”

As Shane continued to follow up on applications for various grant opportunities, our plans to work together to improve conditions on the Reservoir within the Reservation began to take shape.  In late summer of 2014, notification was received of a grant award to the SNI from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation being part of the Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency grant funding. I got the call from Shane that his application was approved and how he was not only grateful, but quite humbled. “Our people could never have been able to afford and accomplish so much, so quickly, on a scale of this size.  This will make a huge, positive impact on the fishery across miles.”

Plans were made to drive the 600 miles out to review the site, along with numerous models of our Fishiding artificial habitat. Decisions were to be made as to which artificial habitat models would be best, where the grouping would go and the overall quantities involved.

Fishiding.com produces artificial fish habitat from reclaimed PVC vinyl siding contained in a weighted base. Models from 18” tall up to 15 feet create unlimited variety, textures and densities of cover, creating a truly natural underwater landscape for aquatic life to thrive within. Over 2300 units consisting of five different models were selected totaling over 64,000 sq. ft. of surface area, ranging from 48”x84” to 18”x30” in size.

Means being used to document the habitats ability to provide sustainable habitat and deter erosion are by way of sonar equipment, water quality testing, underwater cameras and scuba certified staff. We (SNIFWD, USACE, USFS, and PAFBC) will be looking for signs of life such as invertebrates, algae growth, insect life, eggs of all life (insects, fish, amphibians, etc.) and any species of fish utilizing the habitat for shelter and food for research purposes and decision making for future habitat projects.

“It’s a no brainer as I see it,” said Titus. “Using this safe, durable, long-lasting material for fish habitat instead of buried in landfills, is a win for the people, fish and the environment. We can grow that stuff right into the shoreline, creating fry habitat and stabilizing the bank at the same time. We can plant them like balled bushes and watch them grow with life each year.”

I was welcomed by Shane and the team of conservation officers at the Fish and Wildlife Department who proudly work to sustain this pristine land they call home. A first-hand view of the Reservoir in November, Shane showed me the areas that we had talked about, in dire need of restoration.

We walked the river edge, casting jigs for some feisty walleye and smallmouth, catching a few and releasing them back to swim away. “ I keep a couple here and there, but they still feel like my babies” Shane explained, after raising and releasing hundreds of thousands of fry from the SNI Hatchery facility he operates on the Reservation,  releasing them into the Reservoir. He showed me areas devoid of cover, after erosion and low water had worn away the plants, depositing sediment where rock/rubble once exposed. Huge bays landlocked, explaining how many fish die each year, being stuck with no way out as water levels drop, despite volunteers and staff netting and saving thousands of fish each season. Water marks so high, trees and plants were washed away, only to leave the water’s edge barren for fish to contend with in the spring as they attempt to successfully spawn.

Needless to say, excitement grew with the dream of being able to work along the river on a very large scale. To install thousands of individual habitat units creating tens of thousands of square feet of surface area would boost the fishery measurably. Concentrating on shoreline stabilization and fry recruitment, all targeting depths from 6 feet of water and under for the little fish, bugs and plant growth. Another additional benefit of large groupings of habitat is the excrement discarded by the fish and creatures that inhabit it fertilizing plant growth. Clearly aquatic growth, grass and weeds take root in the surrounding lake floor, being fertilized by the fish from above. Another win-win for the fish and the environment.

Project Abstract

The goal of this funding through established partnerships with the PAFBC, USFS, ACE will be to restore the habitat within the reservoir and create an enhanced water system that can tolerate high water events with minimal loss to wildlife and habitat.

The Seneca Nation of Indians has a long history of struggling to maintain its land base and yet there remains a unique and harmonious relationship between indigenous people and the concept of environmental sustainability. The Seneca people believe fully in the tenet of their forefathers, that everyone must plan for the future generations, up to and beyond the seventh generation. The current conditions that exist within the Allegany Reservoir create an intolerable struggle within the people as they are forced each year after year to witness thousands of fish dying, species disappearing or become species of concerns, a vital wildlife habitat lost. Over the past 60 years this reservoir has had numerous high water systems into the reservoir, suffocating aquatic species. Each event results in species lost, habitat lost, channels filled and community flooding.

The people of the Seneca Nation live and work on the same lands today that the Seneca people have inhabited for over 1000 years. The Seneca Nation holds title to five distinct but non-contiguous territories located in western New York, an area of the state where communities are primarily rural in geographic location. The territories are unique in its economic, social and environmental profile. With 53,884 acres, the Seneca Nation controls and holds a significant land base in western New York.

“The Allegany River/Reservoir Restoration and Resiliency Project”

Objectives/Outputs/Outcomes:

• Create a healthier habitat for aquatic species within the Allegany Reservoir
•    10 acres will receive in stream habitat restoration efforts.
•    50 acres will benefit from artificial and natural habitat structures.
• Enhance the flood plain and habitat restoration of the Allegany Reservoir through riprarian buffer restoration.
•    18.94 miles will have large debris removed from shoreline area.
•    10 acres will receive indigenous plantings.
• Restore hydrology to land locked areas of the Allegany Reservoir.
•    7 land locked areas will be reconnected to the Allegany Reservoir.
•    15 acres will be cleaned of sediment, silt and nutrients.

The habitat has been delivered and equipment is in place. Over the next two years, Shane and his team will work all year around, improving the many areas covered within the grant. A great deal of the work will be during the winter months, when water levels are down and lakebed areas exposed. The team will use an earth auger to drill/install the many pole clusters to be installed to regain a plant base in the many washes, streams and creeks flowing into the reservoir. These barriers will catch debris during runoff, creating a medium for plants to begin to take hold. Dozers, trucks along with a good amount of manpower will begin to remove the 1000’s of cubic yards of sediment from the bays and openings, allowing the fish to again, freely pass.

The artificial habitat units will be planted individually in shallow, drilled holes and backfilled like a balled bush. Planted in large clusters, these units will become exposed each year as the water levels drop in the fall, but take on new life each spring as water levels rise and fish move in to seek spawning protection. Not only will the shallowest models protect fish, but allow shoreline plants and their roots to attach and take hold, strengthening and buffering the eroded shallows. With this substrate in place, only good things follow.

Late in 2014, the Seneca Nation hosted its third annual “Allegany Reservoir Management Meeting”. Agencies that are represented at these meetings are: SNI Fish and Wildlife, SNI Administration Representatives, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, New York State department of Environmental conservation, US Army Corp of Engineers, ( KInzua staff, Pittsburg District), US Fish and Wildlife Service (Tribal Liaison, Great lakes rep., Hatchery  Lamar PA, and Hatchery Kinzua PA), US Forest Service and California University of Pennsylvania. Topics discussed at these meetings are all the topics mentioned in the grant, plus stocking strategies, fish sampling surveys, fish pathology and funding opportunities. These “first of their kind” meetings are a shared water body being managed as a single water body.

Aquatic species that will benefit from the habitat are: Walleye (tribally significant species to Seneca culture and heritage) Smallmouth Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Paddlefish (endangered), Northern Pike, Muskellunge, White Bass, Yellow Perch, Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Sunfish, Rock Bass, Sucker, Emerald Shiner, Golden Shiner, Fathead minnows, Spot Tail Shiner and Bluegill, Fresh Water Jelly fish, Aquatic spiders and Macro invertebrates.

Wildlife also benefitting from the habitat: Bald eagle, Golden Eagle, Cormorants, Loons, Ducks (all species), Canadian Goose, Osprey, Green Heron, Blue Heron, Snapping Turtle, Painted Turtle, Leather Back Turtle, Hellbender (amphibian, species of concern) and River Otter (species of concern)

Increased stewardship among the Seneca community will be an immeasurable benefit of this project. The SNI Fish and Wildlife Staff provide educational programs directed at youth to teach them about the environment and its importance to the health of all fish and wildlife. The SNI Fish and Wildlife Department plans on using these projects to create a three year educational tool for the youth and general public. The Seneca nation newsletter will be doing periodic articles to keep the public informed and involved in all aspects of the projects, to include the purpose, reasons, and outcomes of the work.

For more information regarding Reservoir habitat restoration, funding and other projects taking place, visit Friends of Reservoirs, which SNI Fish and Wildlife and Fishiding strongly support. Friends of Reservoirs (FOR), is a tax-deductible non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting and/or restoring fisheries habitat in reservoir systems nationwide. FOR is the funding arm of the Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership, an organization of natural resource professionals and industry representatives, associated with the National Fish Habitat Partnership. FOR is also a coalition of local citizen groups dedicated to improving fish habitat in reservoir systems. David Ewald/ Fishiding.com

Underwater photography by Eric Engbretson, all rights reserved. For a complete library of Fishiding habitat underwater in various locations and conditions see Eric’s work here. Watch for much more information, photos and reports as this project gains momentum. We will be making many trips back to see Shane and his crew improving conditions on the Reservation. Fishing poles and tackle must be present for “testing”.

“Fishing Tournaments that Produce more Fish”

“Catch and Create” Habitat Improvement Tournaments by Fishiding.com

Last fall at the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery in Wild Rose, Wi, State WDNR Biologists, Supervisors and staff, eagerly awaited the start of a new pilot study, incorporating artificial habitat in rearing ponds with musky, walleye and other species. Multiple offices within the WDNR, jockeyed for position to decide just what to study first.

WDNR Biologists and staff discussed the various benefits of incorporating habitat in their Hatcheries and which species to use them on first. Musky were the first in line, with musky being the State fish.  Being an ambush predator, Musky instinctually seek cover to hide and attack their prey. The grow ponds lacked anything to hide and learn to hunt around. Typically, the fish would circle the rubber lined 2 acre ponds, relating to the only physical form available, the water’s edge. Original story.

When I began discussions with Steven Fajfer, Natural Resources Operations Supervisor at Wild Rose, he explained they had been studying musky raised on pellets indoors and then switched to minnows when put in the grow ponds outside. This would be in comparison to fish that were fed minnows exclusively from start to finish. Next, they would stock pre-designated lakes with both groups of fish and track them. More habitat articles at fishiding.com

Because this study was already underway, by incorporating habitat into the above feeding parameters, this would give the Biologists even more and improved data for comparison. Although discussions and plans to use the habitat with Walleye and other species present at the Hatchery, those fish would have to wait until the Musky study was completed. Next, the hatchery had to select the best option for them in artificial habitat.

Fishiding Artificial Fish Habitat is produced using reclaimed PVC vinyl siding. Multiple pieces of durable, flat, strips of material are held together by cement, forming the base. These patented, multi-textured, bush like units, provide shade and surface area, forming a fuzz of aquatic growth when placed underwater. This natural process is nature’s pristine way of converting over abundant nutrients into periphyton, (fuzz/algae) which is then consumed by the small fish by a process called “grazing”. All fish eat this exclusively as fry.

Each unit is unfolded and bent by hand, to abstract shapes. When placed on the lake or pond bottom, they simulate something like an artificial Christmas tree, providing hiding and feeding areas. The mid-sized Safehouse model was selected as the preferred size for the staff to work with. Standing just under 4’ tall and opening up to over 7’ in diameter, each unit stays in place with the weighted base, coming in at about 15 pounds total.

The ability to wash, disinfect and re-use over and over again, made it the easy choice for the many studies the State has planned. 300 units were delivered, 75 in each of the grow ponds, awaiting delivery of the musky from the Michigan DNR.

When we left Wild Rose last fall after setting up the habitat, we could hardly wait to hear that the ponds had been filled and the Musky had been put in the grow ponds. After a number of months passed with no confirmed delivery, the anticipation turned to disappointment. The musky wouldn’t be stocked with the habitat this year. Bummer yes, but with good reason as the details unfolded.

Steven explained a great deal of the background of the State’s current and past stocking efforts with Musky. Back in the early 1900’s, the Great lakes spotted musky were common in Green Bay and the surrounding waters of Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, poor water quality and over fishing wiped them out. Starting in 1989, Wisconsin received eggs from the Michigan DNR and began restocking them in Green Bay. When those fish became mature and attempted to spawn naturally, they became the source of eggs for the stocking program, since there was very limited natural reproduction. With the outbreak of VHS in 2007, that was no longer an option.

With the local fish not viable to use for brood stock anymore per VHS, that wasn’t the only problem with local stock as the genetic diversity was lacking. About 2007, the State began looking for other outlets to acquire the Great Lake Strain. For a few years, WDNR worked with Ontario, purchasing fingerlings from Georgian Bay stock, which had been raised on pellets. This worked ok, with most fish being stocked directly into Wisconsin inland lakes and a few grown at the Westford Hatchery to about 12” and then stocked. The biggest problem was the red tape getting them across the border each time, resulting in lengthy delays and increased costs.

Back in 1989, the WDNR began working with the Michigan DNR Fisheries department, stocking Great Lakes Musky in places like the Indian River, Burt and Mullet lakes. to name just a few. Michigan also has a top notch program and cool water facility. Easy to transport, healthy and close to home, the two States work well together on each other’s experience and knowledge. Michigan has a wonderful and robust fishery, with plans to improve the State’s fishing opportunities even more. Recently, $1,000,000 in Grant money has been made available for habitat improvement and installation projects.

The Musky that are to be brought in to Wild Rose for the habitat study are coming from Michigan……at some point. About a week before the fish were to be delivered they were tested one more time by the Michigan DNR staff. There was a problem. The biologists discovered Piscirickettsia-like organisms, or something called P.L.O  disease in the Musky.

The presence and importance of Piscirickettsia-like bacteria in mammals have been long recognized, but only in recent years could they be identified and characterized in aquatic animals. For this reason, it was not until the late 1980s that Rickettsia agents were linked with major diseases in fish, and subsequently attributed as the cause of substantial economic losses due to disease-related mortality in the 1990s. Piscirickettsiosis and piscirickettsiosis-like diseases have affected aquaculture productivity, profitability, species compatibility with commercial rearing, and fish transport.

Musky with the disease were first discovered in Lake St. Clair in the early 2000’s. It can appear as red spots or blotches on the fish. The WDNR asked them to hold onto the fish for further testing, which showed no definitive results of where or how they were infected. Although the fish appeared healthy, robust and happy, the Wisconsin officials regrettably had to decline the importation. A sincere feeling of disappointment spread through the various department offices, as the realization of waiting another year to begin the study solidified.

“The risk is simply too high to utilize fish with ANY known issues or problems.” That is the standpoint the WDNR had to take. “The investment in time and money to study diet and habitat with any potentially skewed fish stock is not an option.”  It’s not known what the Michigan Hatchery did or will do with the infected fish, but a new, fresh batch of Great Lakes Strain Spotted Musky are already growing fat, planning to come to Wisconsin this fall of 2014.

The Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Department and their own state of the art Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, will continue to draw attention. Known as one of the finest run Hatchery programs in the Nation, all eyes are on the leaders, the ones to watch.

It’s tough decisions like these, that ensures that anglers all across the state will continue to enjoy some of the World’s finest freshwater fishing. Plans to utilize the habitat are taking place with walleye, while the musky mature for delivery. “We have plenty of fish that we are eager to study within the habitat. We just wanted to start first with our well known and much loved Musky.”

Patience and adjustment to ever changing issues in the aquatic realm is a stark reality today.  Learning from past experience and pushing for new ways to grow better, stronger and more sustainable fisheries, the Musky habitat study will happen. This fall, Wisconsin’s plans to grow smarter, stronger, “super” muskies will begin.

Statewide general permit for fish habitat structures ready to use

Weekly News article published: January 28, 2014 by the Central Office

MADISON – Lakefront property owners statewide can now more quickly and easily create “fish sticks” habitat near their shoreline to benefit fish and improve fishing, state fisheries and habitat protection officials say.

A new streamlined permit available from the state and an easy step-by-step guide for fish sticksare now available on the Department of Natural Resources website to help foster the projects, which involve placing trees in shallow water and anchoring them on the shore.

“”Fish sticks” projects are paying off in northern Wisconsin lakes by providing more critical habitat for fish and insects, birds, turtles and frogs,” says Scott Toshner, the Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist who worked with partners on “Fish Sticks” projects that placed hundreds of trees in the Eau Claire chain of lakes in Bayfield and Douglas counties.

“More people wanted to do this same kind of thing on their own shoreland property so DNR created this general permit and a step-by-step guide to make the process easier for them.”

Fallen trees provide shelter and feeding areas for a diversity of fish species and nesting and sunning areas for birds, turtles, and other animals above the water, Toshner says. “Nearly all fish species use woody habitat for at least one portion of their life cycle,” he says.

“But fallen trees have been removed from the water in many areas. “Fish sticks” add to the natural complexity of the near-shore area by restoring woody habitat that was removed during shoreline development.” More habitat articles at fishiding.com

Interest in Fish Sticks projects to restore this woody habitat has been growing throughout Wisconsin and the region, says Martye Griffin, the DNR waterway science policy coordinator. DNR responded by converting the existing general permits for fish habitat projects (Fish Crib, Half-Log, Spawning Reef, Wind Deflector and Tree Drop) to a statewide general permit, and added standards for fish sticks.

The new general permit allows property owners on lakes to have a streamlined permitting process to submerge groups of trees near their shoreline, Griffin says.

“The streamlined permit process is less costly and can be reviewed in less time,” he says. It also allows for fish sticks sites constructed in later years and by different property owners on the same lake to “add on” to an existing approved permit without a new application fee – something the DNR has never done before, he says. Even though an ‘add on’ site may not require an application fee, the sites are still reviewed the same way as a new site.

The general permit identifies the location, design, and other standards and conditions these beneficial projects must meet to qualify for the general permit and to ensure minimal impacts to public rights in the waterway.

Step-by-step guide

In addition, DNR created a new, step-by-step guide for landowners who are interested in developing a fish sticks project. “It provides instructions to plan and complete a project, including equipment needed, site suggestions, and potential funding sources.”

More information on the general permit and to access the fish sticks guidance documentis available by searching the DNR website for “Fish Sticks.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Toshner, 715-372-8539 Ext. 121; Martye Griffin, 608-266-2997

As the title states, Fisheries Biologists at the Wild Rose Hatchery in central Wisconsin, believe they can improve what they do best, raise lots of healthy fish for stocking. The problem lies with how many of these stocked fish will survive to adulthood once released in the State’s many lakes and rivers. A very small percentage of stocked fish survive in any State and all waterways. These fishhave not yet learned to msurvive in the wild.

“The philosophy of most fish hatcheries is to rear a large number of fish and hope some survive” Victoria Braithwaite, Professor of Fisheries and Biology, Penn State University

Raised in captivity, fish don’t have a chance to learn how to navigate and hunt,  ambush and hide from direct sun and predators. Research has shown signs of improved brain function and development in fish raised in tanks with artificial habitat. “Interacting with the environment can influence gene expression in the brain”, Braithwaite said. More habitat articles at fishiding.com

One goal of the study is to “teach” more of these fish to survive in the wild, by giving them a more realistic habitat to be raised in. Another huge benefit will be, having to produce less fish for stocking as far more will survive, thus reducing costs.

Comparison of Muskie growth, conversion and survival in plastic lined ponds with and without artificial structures.

Our plan (WDNR) is to rear approx. 1000 Great Lakes strain of Spotted Muskie in 4, one half acre lined ponds. The fish will come from Michigan DNR’s Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery and should arrive in Wisconsin in early September. Two of the ponds the GLS Muskies will go into will have no structures. The other two ponds will have 75 Safehouse artificial fish structures from “Fishiding” in each pond. The Muskies will be fed minnows and held in the hatchery for approx. 10 months. At that time, each pond will be drained, all Muskies counted weighed and measured. The fish will then be PIT tagged and released into 3 inland Lakes in Wisconsin. Managers will be netting these lakes after release and will scan all Muskies for PIT tags.

 PIT tags, also known as Passive Integrated Transponders, have individual numbers that will be unique to each fish. The tag is the size of a grain of Wild Rice and should remain in the fish its entire life. The lakes stocked will likely be Anderson and Archibald in Oconto county and Big Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County.

Networking for the fish:

 Some may find it hard to believe that there are countless professionals working every day to find new ways to improve our fish, their habitats and the water they live in. Unique to this fisheries industry, these folks retain a truly passionate drive to improve our waters. Most of these Biologists and Scientists fish and/or hunt, spend time outdoors and truly enjoy their jobs. It is because of this passion, information gets passed freely, to improve our understanding.

 A few years back, I met a gentlemen named Peter Berrini, P.G. Lake Restoration/Enhancement Scientist at HDR,Inc. Peter is involved in our 830 acre lake dredging project and also a member of the Illinois Lake Management Association that we mutually belong to. We spoke about our habitat products numerous times, which prompted him to pass our information on to a colleague within his firm, Tom Johnson, Sr. Fisheries Biologist. Tom works at the HDR, Inc. Fisheries design center and had been in discussion with Steven Fajfer, Operations Supervisor and Richard Klett, cool water propagation Biologist at Wild Rose Hatchery about their Muskies.

HDR’s Fisheries Design Center, led by industry experts, is a focused group of professionals that operate as a single source to provide a range of services, from project planning to tailored best management practices, quality assurance programs, sustainability, energy conservation, water reuse, and CAD services.

The Fisheries Design Center matches dedicated technical specialists with each project to deliver optimal results for the fish and their natural environment.

The WDNR Wild Rose team, were looking for an easy to install/remove, inert pond habitat for those musky who seem to need something in the pond to get around while they transition back to natural minnow forage from the pellet artificial feeds they were fed in the building. The new State of the art Wild Rose Hatchery, produce’s all of the States Musky for stocking. Currently, the fish swam in circles around the edge of the ponds, uninterested in the minnows without something to instinctually hide and ambush from. Unprotected from sun and potential predation, these fish had been lacking the cover/habitat provided in nature to learn to hide, hunt and utilize cover before being released into the wild.

“As for why we wanted to do this, we all see how the muskies in the ponds search out structure of any kind to sit next to. That includes each other. Structures on the surface make the fish susceptible to sunburn and predation. We can’t use organic material because of the risk of disease carryover and unable to disinfect. The Fishiding structures seemed ideal.” Steven Fajfer, WDNR

                                                                          With the abundant talent the State has working on such projects, discussions began within the numerous departments and offices of the WDNR. Justin VanDeHey, Assistant Professor of Fisheries at the College of Natural Resources University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, along with WDNR’s Alfred Kaas, John Komassa and Randal Larson, discussed ideas and initial studies. Benjamin Heimbach, Gary Lindenburger, David Giehtbrock and Timothy Simpson have all added their input and opinions as well, from their various DNR offices within the State. The hard part was deciding what to study first with so many assumed positive results to come.

A similar study just released a few weeks back in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B and Science Daily, solidifies the concept. This study undertaken with an International team of Researchers from the University of Bergen, Norway and Penn State University, shows adding artificial fish habitat improves many aspects of the fish’s development.

Victoria Braithwaite, Professor of fisheries and Biology at Penn State University states: “There’s a mismatch between the way we raise them and the real world. What this study is suggesting is that you could raise fewer, but smarter fish and you will still have higher survivability once you release them. In the hatchery the world is homogenous, life is boring and monotonous. The water flow is the same, you don’t have to find your food and you don’t have to avoid predators.”

Funding………Who Supports Musky Stocking in Wisconsin?

The networking certainly didn’t stop here. Steve Fajfer had a typical supervisor’s dilemma. How can we procure enough habitat to study this correctly on our limited budget? Although the habitat was being offered at cost by Fishiding for the study as well as free delivery and installation help, the State needed additional funding to help to proceed.

That’s where Steve started making calls to Jerry Loop, The Winnobagoland Musky club’s Represenative. Over the years, the Musky Club’s Alliance of Wisconsin has given back to Musky in a big way. Almost two dozen separate clubs across the state raise money to give back to musky fishing in Wisconsin to form the Alliance. Jerry explained they have received grant money for habitat  and would be willing to buy the discounted habitat and donate it to the Wild Rose Hatchery for the Musky studies. Along with the grant money, Jerry and some guys from the club would come out to help install, even bring lunch! These guys love their Musky!

 This donation of artificial habitat will be able to improve hatchery fish of many species for generations to come, consisting of reclaimed PVC and cement. For over 30 years, thousands of dedicated musky fisherman have worked raising money, so that future generations  enjoy this priceless resource. It is no longer the fish of a thousand casts, not in Wisconsin.

Since 1979, the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin has been working with member clubs and the WDNR to improve the musky fishery in the state of Wisconsin.  In the last 25 years a lot of things have been accomplished and some of them are listed below.

– Over 25,000 musky fingerlings have been stocked at an approximate cost of $162,000.

– Around $830,000 has been distributed to member clubs for their local projects and programs.

– Around $26,000 has been awarded to Wisconsin fishery students at UW-Stevens Point.

– Provide $40,000 in support of the Great Lakes Spotted Musky program.

– Provided $36,500 to the Portage Area Musky Club to support their musky rearing program.

– Provided $4,500 to the Pewaukee Lake Musky Research Project

– Provided $1,000 to the Hayward Area Musky rearing ponds.

– Donated $41,000 to the WDNR for musky related projects

– Donated $9,000 to Eagle River and Hayward “Fishing Has No Boundaries” program.

– Donated $700 to Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame

– Donated $1,500 to the Aquatic Invasive Species program

– Donated $9,000 to the University of Michigan/WDNR Musky Habitat Study

Installation Day Arrives

 The date was finally set and the 300 habitat units were loaded on trucks and trailers. The four man Fishiding team headed north three hours to the hatchery. There we met Jerry and his group from the Musky club, ready to get busy with these strange looking fish structures. Steve and his team from the hatchery were on hand to give us all an overview of the plans and a chance to look around the newly updated facility.

For more than a century, Wild Rose Hatchery has been the State’s reliable workhorse, producing up to 50 tons of fish per year. One of only three hatcheries producing cool water and cold water species, this state of the art facility supplies 27% of the States Trout and salmon, 64% of the States Northern Pike and 100% of the states Sturgeon and Muskie. Other capabilities include raising Brown trout, Chinook, Coho and soon, Rainbow Trout. The visitor Center and historic buildings, along with aquariums, video and extensive exhibits help share the Wild Rose story. We were lucky enough to get into the inner sanctum…..the grow ponds.

The discovery of the fish disease VHS in Wisconsin, changed many aspects of fish production at Wild Rose and other DNR hatcheries. In addition to strict disinfection procedures and extensive fish testing, visitors can no longer enter fish production areas to avoid tracking in viruses or bacteria. Because of this reason, the Fishiding habitat will be washed between groups of fish to ensure no transfer of germs/bacteria.

We set up some card tables and barely got half way through the bending demonstration and these folks were off. With the help of over a dozen people, 150 units were installed in two different grow ponds as stated above in just a few hours. Originally the plan was to use all 300 units in two 1 acre ponds. As fingerling availability and room at the hatchery came to fruition, the two half acre ponds were available to be used. The additional habitat units will go in separate ponds, to supply additional data on other study parameters and potential use with other species.

“It’s so simple, why didn’t  I think of that?” was mentioned more than once. “I love that we are keeping this material out of landfills and giving it to the fish.”  This group was enthusiastic and excited the entire time. Dozens of trips down the long set of stairs into the future home of the State’s next generation of “Super Musky.” Many exaggerated fishing stories, a few hunting stories, and the common love of the outdoors. I knew we were in good hands when it was apparent that Steve and his staff were as excited as we are, feeling strongly we are breaking new ground in understanding how important a role fish habitat plays, both in captivity and Nature.

 Before we finished cleaning up for lunch and completion, a gentlemen and his Mom were introduced to us all. Carolee Primising and her son Patrick, were asked to come out for a surprise on this eventful day. A plaque was unveiled to reveal a dedication in memory of one of Wisconsin’s finest Fisheries Biologists, Mike Primising.

Mike is remembered fondly as a loving husband, dad, friend and MUSKY man, with over 30 years of service to Wisconsin’s DNR fisheries. It was an emotional time as Steve spoke warmly of the 9 years he and Mike worked together at the WDNR. We laughed about the good times and knew Mike would be proud to be a part of this momentous event in Musky development.

Confidence is high and results will soon begin to appear. Will the habitat ponds grow larger and/or heavier fish? Will the minnows be able to hide in the habitat and force the Musky to learn to outsmart them? How many of the habitat raised fish will survive after stocking? Will these fish grow larger when stocked due to skills learned at Wild Rose?

Fishiding.com offers a full line of artificial fish habitat and feeders for fresh and salt water. Dense shallow models, provide cover and substrate for newly hatched fry. Mid and deep water habitat for forage and predator cover in various textures to suit specific species needs. The ability to convert over abundant nutrients back into food via Periphyton, takes place naturally on the massive surface area they create. Self-contained, weighted and ready to unfold and sink, sets these habitat units apart with no additional supplies or tools needed. Underwater PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ENGBRETSON

As the trend to improve habitat in all aspects of the Fisheries Industry continues to expand, this inert, long term habitat made from reclaimed artificial materials will continue to lead the way. By expanding our knowledge in Aquaculture, hatchery production and open water habitats, we stand on the brink of understanding how to produce smarter and stronger fish that will survive and prosper in the wild.

Follow us on Linkdin as well as our habitat blog Structurespot.com to keep up on all the habitat work taking place world wide. Custom units, lake/pond habitat design, species preferences, available upon request.

Aquatic Playground Can Turn Water Tanks Into Fish Schools

There are countless Bass fishing events that take place across our country each year allowing participants a chance to take home substantial prize money and products. This past weekend was no exception on J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir  in Appleton,Georgia.

 With a first ever of it’s kind, The PotashCorp FishBack Open Team Tournament, contestants competed to raise money and awareness in support of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) and the North Augusta Fishing Team.  After the two day event, 100% of the proceeds were donated to these two fine deserving groups with $6000.00 and $4000.00 respectively being  awarded.

With a guaranteed payout of $12,000 for first place, more than 125 boats competed in this first annual open. The two man team event goal, was raising money for two great groups. Boats and fisherman from numerous surrounding states, geared up for this unique opportunity to fish this expansive body of water.

Fast boats and seasoned anglers planned to  jockey for a chance at taking home one of the many cash and donated prizes, including two 52″ wide screen T.V’s donated by Fairway Ford.

Before first light on Saturday, hundreds of decked out fishing rigs decended on Wildwood Park and the Tommy Shaw Memorial weigh in at Clark Hill.  Anglers of all levels  including a few FLW pro’s, then discovered fishing wasn’t the only job on hand for the day.

The twist to this groundbreaking Bass tournament concept…….install artificial fish habitat during the event, enhancing the environment and the fishery! Maybe come back on day two and catch a lunker on the habitat unit you installed on Saturday!

That’s right, each boat was required to give something back to the fishery by installing an artificial fish habitat structure at either their first or second stop of day one. Over 150 new artificial habitat units were installed during the event.

More than one strange look was apparent when the requirement was announced. You want  me to put what in my spotless, pristine gel coated water rocket? I barely have enough room for the twenty something rods and hundreds of pounds of tackle we can’t fish without.  Are we going to fit yet more gear and supplies, ropes, cinder blocks, etc.?

No worries, each boat of two fisherman received a Safehouse model habitat by Fishiding.com to unfold and install. These patented, self contained habitat units are made from reclaimed vinyl siding, cemented into a PVC container. Standing about 45″ tall when shipped, the vinyl limbs bend out in all directions and create a “Safehouse” about 7′ diameter and 3′-6″ tall, weighing approximately 15 pounds.

No additional tools or supplies…or mess when putting these habitat units out. Just bend to shape by hand, whatever looks good, then toss over the side. Each artificial fish habitat unit will sink to the bottom and land upright to resemble a bush. The wide limbs create maximum shade, often preferred by bass and forage fish. Nutrients then stick to the vinyl and start the food chain.

The brains behind this first of it’s kind conservation awareness tournament came from the event mastermind, Joey Bruyninckx of PotashCorp.

“Giving something back to the fishery only made sense.” Cancer, Kids and Conservation, what better causes to support?

We met Joey and his team through our involvement with the North Augusta fishing Team. PotashCorp has been a loyal supporter of the North Augusta Fishing Team.( NAFT ) Months back, we were contacted by a hard working young lady named Rosie DeAnnutis, a selfless volunteer for the NAFT. She asked if we may like to get involved in supporting the kids on a cold spring tourney at the same location, Wildwood Park back in March.

We very much wanted to be involved, but because of the timing and the distance, we called on our trusted partners at SOlitude lake Management at their nearby office’s in Charlotte and Raleigh to assist us by speaking to the kids about habitat. SOlitude  has various offices throughout the mid-Atlantic states.  Serving clients in 9 states  including: VA, NC, SC, MD, DE, PA, WV, NJ and NY, offering top notch professional service and advice for all your lake and pond aquatic needs. Aquatic, Fishery, Wildlife and Forestry Biologists, Environmental and Ecology Scientists, all make up the SOlution to a better planet earth.

Matt Phillips, their Aquatic Biologist/Environmental Scientist was happy to help and make the three hour drive to participate. The group discussed fish recruitment, stocking and available habitat. These young, fishing machines embraced the information and wanted to be involved in any habitat restoration plans they could assist with. Matt and Joey began to discuss ideas for the upcoming FishBack Tourney that cold and overcast day as the kids enjoyed the time spent together, outdoors.

The NAFT is open to kids in junior high through high school, ages 11-18. The coach Sean Hall, has a special gift. Gaining the trust and respect of these kids, he loves the outdoors and teaching them about what is important for their future, and the environment. More habitat articles at fishiding.com

Sean brings in DNR officers, Biologists and other related professionals to talk to the kids about boating safety, fish health and species identification to name just a few. “Fishing is only a small part of what these kids take out of being part of the team.”

Although Sean is amazing in how he keeps the kids attention, he certainly can’t do it alone. Jeannie Parks Wilson and Bobbi Boatwright round out the staff to keep this team growing. Getting involved in more events and spreading the message surrounding the multi-faceted benefits of youth fishing teams is their core goal.

After speaking with local DNR officers, it was determined that the lake needed additional habitat, more than any other feasible efforts like stocking, which was another idea and potential option. The lake levels had been extremely low in the recent past which takes a significant toll on fish spawning and recruitment. Additional habitat that fish can utilize to feed, hunt and hide within creates not only big bass, but forage species as well.

This less known concept in habitat improvement is growing Nationwide and moving to installation of inert, artificial materials, that last underwater for decades or longer. In the past, brush piles, Christmas trees and the like have been the norm. Although these materials hold fish and work very well. Their life underwater is short lived due to decomposition, also robbing dissolved oxygen from the water column. Inert materials like boulders, rock and plastics never break down and provide a surface for life to form immediately after submersing.

With over 50% of the Nation’s waters in an impaired state, biologists and esteemed professionals from all the State and Federal agencies are looking for ways to improve water quality before it gets any worse. Aeration, Floating Treatment Wetlands, living shorelines and artificial habitat, are just a few of the tools we are learning have multiple benefits.

These products when placed in the water, attract and convert excessive nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen into fish food called periphyton. That fuzz that grows on surfaces underwater….”mothers milk” of the underwater world. All fish graze exclusively on this highest known source of food for their first year of life. Unlike aquatic vegetation, these products never die off and continue to process nutrients all year around in a process called biomimicry. This same technology is currently being used in fields like wastewater treatment, fish farming, aquaculture and hatchery settings worldwide.

The Potash Corporation, founded in 1989 is one of the world’s largest producer of Potash, Phosphate and Nitrogen, responsible for 20% of the global capacity through their Canada operations. PotashCorp has built the world’s largest fertilizer enterprise by capacity on world-class potash resources and high-quality phosphate and nitrogen assets. These primary nutrients that crops need, as well as livestock feeds and industrial goods, are an essential part of our everyday lives.

PotashCorp  brought in support from all over for this unique twist on bass fishing. The Clark Hill Committee and Columbia County worked tirelessly for weeks with Joey and his team to make this event the huge success that it was.

Fairway Ford provided registration and support as well as trucks for display on tournament days, as well as prizes for the raffle.

Dixie Riverside A&A Vending services also contributed not only by donating all the food and drinks, but has been an ongoing supporter of the North Augusta Fishing Team.

Fireplaces and More were on hand cooking fresh pulled pork sandwiches, dogs and the like for the two day event, keeping the masses fed.

Zoom baits, another NAFT supporter and integral part of this years FishBack tournament, were on hand with samples of some new baits for all involved and a major part of the planning to make this years event possible. Chris Baxter, Zoom sales manager and FLW pro, has a special connection to this event. After his wife was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, he wanted to do more to raise awareness for other women and possibly save a life with early detection. Baxter reached out to Doug Barron with the GOCA.

More on Chris and his partnership with GOCA in a story recently written in Wired2Fish.com.

Doug and his right hand man Chase Powell, were around all weekend to answer questions and provide literature and support regarding ovarian cancer. Passionate outdoors men, these two guys have a soft and dedicated commitment to help women and their families diagnosed with this unfortunate disease.

From black tie events and prestigious supporters, fishing tournaments with shorts and sandals, the message on how to early detect this type of cancer is one of their main goals. Lots of travel and long days are the norm for these two stewards of ovarian cancer support and education.

Kicks 99 radio also was on hand with music and games, proudly showing their support for the kids and the Georgia cancer Alliance.

GreenfishTackle and The Tackle Shop had strong support for their products both on and off the water. Owner Jon Hair not only spent countless hours planning with the team but also got out and caught some fine fish as a contestant in the event.

Seatow was there for all on the water support as well as donating prizes to the raffles.

Loads of bass made their way to the weigh in, almost 8.5 pounds and 7.5 pounds  won the big bass checks for $1000.00 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The NAFT kids ran to the lake for release of each boats catch like revolving fish doctors, spending needed time to revive tired fish. Two, five fish limits were added together for the total weight of the event, which a number of the top finishers were over 30+ pounds in aggregate!

A unique and welcome surprise for a couple traveling from the Chicagoland area. My wife Renee’ and I were welcomed into this family of fish loving folks, dedicated to helping others less fortunate and bettering others lives. A touching prayer and our National anthem started the event Saturday morning in the dark. Hundreds of eager contestants stood silent with respect, heads bowed and hats off.  Southern hospitality is alive and well in the Augusta area. Take note America, this is how it’s done!

Photos by: Michael E. Johnson Photography 706-832-6762

additional links/stories: ODU, facebook Wired2Fish, potashcorp/facebook