Fish sticks on Shadow Lake

Dropped trees deliver wildlife habitat in Waupaca

By James Card

DNR and metropolis crews placed a few large trees on the ice of Shadow Lake past 7 days and substantial boulders have been placed around the trunks.

Mounted in the boulders are masonry eye bolts and they will be threaded with cables to be secured to the trees.

Once the ice melts, the boulders will plunge underwater like boat anchors and choose the trees down with them.

Tree drops have been element of an ecological management approach for Shadow Lake for the earlier 10 years. The city, in partnership with the Wisconsin Section of All-natural Assets (DNR), has finished tree drops in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Preceding tree drops can be found when driving alongside Lakeside Parkway on the west side of the lake.

Dried, lifeless limbs adhere up out of the drinking water a quick distance from the shoreline.

Ice anglers drill holes in close proximity to these spots in the winter and kayak fishermen solid all over this organic construction all through the warm months.

This sort of habitat undertaking of submerging trees is normally nicknamed “fish sticks,” or “tree drops.”

In the literature of fisheries science these trees are referred to as L.W.D. or “large woody particles.”

Including large woody debris into freshwater ecosystems is a instrument in fisheries management. The dead trees give resting place for turtles and frogs and perches for herons and egrets.

The underwater structure attracts aquatic insects which in turn attracts bait fish and juvenile recreation fish. Hardwood trees are most popular as they are far more resistant to rot and the boulders that act as anchors deliver everlasting include as effectively.

“In the past we did our fish sticks application and all those are the types together the street that adhere out. This is like that but a little little bit distinct. These are deep-water drops so you will see the trees and the boulders are a minor further out,” reported Andrew Whitman, the director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“By permit with the DNR they have to be at minimum 5 toes underneath. We’re going to go for 5-8 ft so as the lake [bed] slants down to to the center, the trunk will be at about 5 ft and the rest will tumble down together that [incline]. What we’re hoping to do is make habitat for the tiny fellas, the small fish, so they can be guarded and they can expand up,” mentioned Whitman.