August 2015 – Bass, pike, perch, walleye and pumpkinseed are the most common fish species in Fanshawe Reservoir. The UTRCA, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, London Community Foundation and Middlesex Stewardship Council, have installed wooden structures in the lake to improve aquatic habitat and support fish reproduction.

Staff used more than 125 m of cedar logs to build the seven structures. A high hoe moved the structures into the water, and placed about 200 tonnes of river stone in and around them. The crowns of several White Ash trees killed by the Emerald Ash Borer were also placed in the lake to provide more habitat and feeding areas for fish. The idea is to mimic a “sunken dock” type structure that fish commonly use as shelter from predators.

Round stone gravel beds were added along the shoreline to create spawning beds, with the goal of increasing fish populations and providing more recreational fishing opportunities. As the final touch, aquatic vegetation was planted along the shoreline to create foraging areas for the fish.

Contact: Jackianne Abbey, Assistant Soil Conservation Technician