Abiotic Habitat Enhancements in U.S. Lakes
and Reservoirs: A Survey of the Southern Division Reservoir Committee
Kimberly I. Tugend
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of
Florida, 7922 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653, (352) 392-9617 ext.
242, kit@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
Mike S. Allen
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, The University of
Florida, 7922 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653, (352) 392-9617 ext.
252, msal@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
Mark A. Webb
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 1004 E. 26th St., Bryan, TX
77802, (409) 822-5067, bryanif@mail.myriad.net
The Reservoir Committee of the Southern Division of
the American Fisheries Society conducted a survey of state agencies to
identify: (1) agency goals of habitat enhancements, (2) preferences
for different habitat enhancement methods, and (3) efforts to assess
fish-population responses to habitat enhancements. We received a total
of 67 responses from 48 state agencies and Puerto Rico, of which 83%
conducted abiotic habitat enhancements. We divided habitat structures
into four general categories: cover, spawning, shoreline
stabilization, and substrate structures. The majority of habitat
structures were used to attract fish to improve angler catch and
harvest (71%), but other objectives included improved recruitment of
juvenile fish (39%), increased fish production via creation of
spawning habitat (34%), and creation of adult habitat or sanctuary
(30%). The most widely used habitat enhancement structures were brush
piles due to low cost and availability of materials. Although most
states utilized habitat enhancement structures, only 40% of
respondents evaluated for fish-population responses. Evaluations
usually comprised catch-per-effort of fish in structures but did not
assess fish recruitment or survival responses to habitat enhancements.
Information from this survey will be compiled into a Habitat
Enhancement Manual for fishery managers and others interested in lake
habitat enhancement.
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