Fish in Presque Isle Bay are getting new habitats on Wednesday, as organizations work together to assemble and place wooden habitat structures in Lake Erie.
The SONS of Lake Erie are working with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Natural Resources for the annual fish habitat placement, assembling 60 on Wednesday and bringing the total amount of habitats placed over 800 since 1995.
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Project leaders said the bay lacks hiding places past 10 feet in depth, and the wooden, brush-covered structures allow fish in Lake Erie to use them throughout their life for cover.
“They’ll also use these wooden structures to locate macroinvertebrates of bait fish, so it becomes a feeding area, so it makes those fish healthier, larger, better fish for our anglers,” said Ben Page, lake habitat section chief for the PA Fish and Boat Commission.
“It’s important, first of all, it’s a good food source. It provides a lot of recreation for people,” said Jerry Skrypzak from SONS of Lake Erie.
Project leaders said the habitats help support fish populations for years to come.