If You Build It, Will They Come? Fish and Angler Use at a Freshwater Artificial Reef

Abstract

In November 1999, an artificial reef composed of granite rubble was built in southwestern Lake Michigan to attract smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. Adult fish communities were sampled at the artificial reef site and a nearby reference site before (1999) and after reef construction (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) to determine whether the artificial reef attracted sport fishes. The total number of fish observed along scuba transects was higher at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2000-2003. Smallmouth bass, rock bass Ambloplites rupestris, round goby Neogobius melanostomus, and yellow perch Perca flavescens were most commonly observed by divers at the artificial reef site, whereas the round goby was the most prevalent species observed at the reference site. Mean annual total gill-net catch per unit effort (CPUE) did not differ at the two sites after reef construction. Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, yellow perch, and salmonines were commonly caught at both locations. The presence of several of these taxa was related to water temperature but not location. Smallmouth bass presence was related to location; CPUE was greater at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2000-2002. Rock bass CPUE also was greater at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2002. Smallmouth bass association with the reef was seasonal and correlated with temperature. Although anglers were aware of the artificial reef, fishing effort and success were low, in part because few anglers targeted black bass Micropterus spp. Because water temperature strongly influences the use of structure by centrarchids in deep, cold lakes like Lake Michigan, care must be taken to site artificial reefs in zones of the most suitable water temperature for these species.

Mapping bottom substrate in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan: Linking substrate and biology

“…It is apparent that even relatively small areas of preferred habitat attract spawning yellow perch and thus more accurate identification of these areas is necessary for proper protection. In addition, alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, rock bass Ambloplites rupestris, smallmouth bass, white sucker Catostomus commersonii, johnny darters Etheostoma nigrum, sculpin Cottus spp., crayfish, and amphipods have also been observed at other artificial structures such as break walls, piers, and artificial reefs within the Great Lakes (Kevern et al, 1985;Liston et al, 1985;Kelch et al, 1999;Creque et al, 2006). However, many of these important smaller anthropogenic structures would likely be missed by our 200 m grid resolution.…”

“…Aside from substrate characteristics, there is a suite of other physical and abiotic factors that may determine presence or absence of fish at any given area. For example, Creque et al (2006) showed that yellow perch presence at an artificial reef during summer and fall was driven by temperature rather then being related to the structure itself.…”

Attraction to and Avoidance of instream Hydrokinetic Turbines by Freshwater Aquatic Organisms

“…There have been few studies of fish attraction to artificial structures like HK in large rivers, but some useful Before-After, Control-Impact (BACI) studies of artificial reefs in freshwater reservoirs have been published (Wills et al 2004;Creque et al 2006). Based on these limited studies, the attraction of freshwater fish to HK structures is likely to be seasonal rather than constant; the use of the structure may be related to water temperature or seasonal movements/migrations.…”

“…Attraction to HK structures will certainly be species-specific. Some freshwater fish species show little interest in mid-water structures, whereas others such as smallmouth bass are more likely to be attracted, especially to overhead cover (Creque et al 2006). Numerous studies have shown that black bass (Micropterus spp.)…”

“…Artificial reefs are often constructed in marine systems in order to increase fish production, but some studies suggest that they may be less effective than natural reefs (Carr and Hixon 1997) and that they may even have deleterious effects on reef fish populations by stimulating overfishing and overexploitation (Grossman et al 1997). In freshwater, Creque et al (2006) studied an artificial reef constructed of granite rubble in southwestern Lake Michigan. Compared to a nearby reference site, the reef attracted more smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) and rock bass (Amblopites rupestris), but other fish species (freshwater drum, gizzard shad, yellow perch, and salmonines) were commonly found at both locations.…”