Research Document - 2016/059

Evaluation of the effects of habitat restoration on fish species at risk within Crown Marsh, Long Point Bay, Lake Erie, Ontario

By N.A. Rook, N.E. Mandrak, S.M. Reid, and J. Barnucz

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine if the restoration of Long Point Crown Marsh, Lake Erie was beneficial for fishes and supported local fish recovery efforts as there are five fish species at risk found in this region. Crown Marsh has been invaded by the invasive common reed (Phragmites australis). To restore the habitat and provide more open water, dredging occurred to create ponds connected to Long Point Bay. To evaluate the effect of this habitat restoration on fishes, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) sampled six ponds from 2012 to 2014. Four created ponds and two reference ponds with minimal human disturbance were sampled using enclosure seining methods. In addition to sampling the fishes, habitat data were collected and water depth and temperature were recorded over time using level loggers. Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) and Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), threatened species at risk, were not caught during these sampling events. The most recently created ponds, Ankney Pond and Kozac Pond, supported four species at risk including Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta), Pugnose Shiner (Notropis anogenus), and Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) at various times throughout sampling. The created Thompson Pond and West Feed Pond supported Grass Pickerel, Lake Chubsucker, and Pugnose Shiner, but not Warmouth. The fish assemblages differed among ponds and over time. Habitat varied among ponds, as newly created Ankney Pond and Kozac Pond exhibited less submerged vegetation and more open water habitat compared to the reference ponds. They were also shallower than the reference ponds and West Feed Pond. None of the ponds were large enough to support the minimum viable population size for Lake Chubsucker. Also, many of the ponds occasionally experienced very low water levels, high water temperatures in the summer, and low dissolved oxygen. Further research should be completed on the composition of fish assemblages in the channels, the movement of individuals among ponds and Long Point Bay, and the over-wintering habitats in the created ponds. The ponds should be constructed as a gradient with the deepest portion of the pond near the channel to prevent stranding when water levels are low. Multiple connections out of the ponds should be made to promote migration in stressful habitat conditions. Also, pond maintenance should be avoided to support the establishment of aquatic macrophytes.

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