RHINELANDER, Wis. (WXPR) — Growing numbers of citizens appear to be taking an interest in returning wood to public waters as a place for fish to live.
Sometimes referred to as “fish sticks”, the effort is gaining steam says DNR fisheries biologist Scott Toshner based in Brule. He says a tree can live a century, then be put underwater and stay there at least another 100 years providing habitat for fish. He says of 29 project so far, 25 have been in the northern part of the state. He says returning wood to the water enlivens fish populations. “Fish species especially use wood at some point of their life stage. Every single species at some point uses that wood in some point in their life stage.”
Toshner says some species lay their eggs on wood, others use the structure for protection from bigger fish. The fish also pick off other species who work on the wood for their own needs. Lake associations have been helpful in the projects.
Toshner says the state approved a general permit a couple of years ago which made it easier to do these types of projects.
by Ken Krall, WXPR
