Walleye Spawning Bed Restoration - Muskrat River, Ontario

Walleye Spawning Bed Restoration - Muskrat River, Ontario

In recent years, the Muskrat River suffered a flooding event which silted out the walleye spawning bed. Since that event, spawning numbers have drastically decreased. Because walleye is a very sensitive fish species, siltation negatively affects their spawning beds. Silt covers the eggs, preventing them from being adequately oxygenated. This increases embryonic (early-stage development) walleye mortality. With approval from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, the restoration of the historic walleye spawning site was completed in two steps in fall 2022. First, community members and staff swept the bed to stir up the silt. Next, volunteers came through with a power hose to push the silt downstream into a silt curtain. This fish habitat enhancement project was possible thanks to a grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, and strong community support and involvement from Olmstead Jeffrey Lake Association, Muskrat Watershed Council, OFAH Zone F, Algonquin College – Environmental Technician Program from the Pembroke Campus, and Watersheds Canada.