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Clintonville looks to improve lake’s fish habitat

Seeks DNR’s permission for ‘fish sticks habitat’

By Bert Lehman


The city of Clintonville is seeking permission from the state to add “fish sticks habitats” in Pigeon Lake while the water is drawn down during the Pigeon River Dam repairs.

In order to install the fish stick habitats, the city is required to obtain a permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Clintonville City Council on Jan. 8 voted 9-1 to hire Ayes Associates to perform the work to obtain the permit. Alderwoman Tammy Strey-Hirt voted no.

The total cost to the city for the permit and Ayes Associates’ services is $3,300. The funds will come from the city’s operating contingency account.

According to the DNR: “‘Fish Sticks’ projects are intended to restore woody habitat in lakes by adding trees to the near-shore area. They are large woody habitat structures that use either single trees or trees grouped together. Fish sticks structures are anchored to the shore and are partially or fully submerged near the shoreline of a lake. Fish sticks projects are completed to provide additional fish habitat, as well as to expand fishing opportunities by anglers and provide protection to shorelines.”

Alderman Jim Supanich explained to the council why the city is seeking to add fish stick habitats instead of an alternative option, fish crib habitats.

After conversations with the DNR, Supanich said the city was informed that fish crib habitats attract small fish, and then big game fish wait outside the fish cribs to feed on the small fish when they come out of the fish cribs.

The fish cribs also have to be sunk in locations where at least 5 feet of water will be above them.

“The problem the DNR brought up is that they’re seeing that fishermen go out there with their fish finders, they note the location on their GPS, and then in the winter they come back out to exactly those locations, and that’s where they ice fish,” Supanich said. “They deplete the fish population in that area, especially the large predator fish. So their recommendation is what’s called the fish stick [habitat], which is basically laying trees along the shoreline and tying them in so they don’t float down river.”

Last year the DNR contacted the Pigeon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District recommending the lake’s fish habitat be improved.

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