Shoreline residential development and physical habitat influences on fish density at the lake edge of Lake Joseph, Ontario

grantor: University of TorontoFish densities in the littoral fringe zone (0-2.5m offshore, average depth = 0.53m), within a large Central Ontario lake, were investigated with respect to shoreline structure (docks and boathouses) density and physical habitat characteristics. Both categorical (ANOVA) and continuous (multiple linear regression and regression tree) data analysis concluded that coarse woody debris (CWD) was the most important habitat variable for explaining and predicting densities of total forage fish. YOY smallmouth bass, were a notable exception since they appeared to lack a preference for spatially complex habitats. Fish densities in the fringe zone and around shoreline structures, showed that in some areas the addition of shoreline structures can increase forage fish densities. This is probably because the structures add structural complexity which can increase protection from both waves and predators. The habitat created by crib foundations appeared to be of importance in areas in which the CWD has been removed by shoreline residential owners.M.Sc