Most Lake Ontario fish
species spend part of their life-cycle
in the area within 15 meters of the shore
- the nearshore. This area is used by many
fish species during their egg, larvae and
juvenile life stages. Protecting this area
should be a priority of any Lake Ontario
shoreline owner and it is not difficult. The shoreline
owner should consider the following options
before altering any of the shoreline habitat.
Docks
Many shoreline owners install docks for fishing, boating, swimming
and other access opportunities without considering how they may be
harming the fish habitat. Before you install a dock you should
consider the following recommendations:
- The
dock should occupy less than about 10%
of the shoreline frontage.
- Floating
docks are the best for fish habitat.
They don't touch the bed of the lake
and do not obstruct currents or fish or
plant communities. Post-supported docks
are the next best type of dock for fish
habitat. The narrow posts allow wave
action, and fish and other wildlife to pass
around them.
- Docks
in New York State are governed
by New
York Environmental Conservation
Rules and Regulations.
Visit the Important
Regulations page
for more
information
about regulation
of docks
by the New York
State Department
of Environmental
Conservation.
Fertilizer Use
The major component of many lawn fertilizers
is phosphorus. Phosphorus is the primary
nutrient that stimulates excessive growth
of plants,
especially algae, in lakes. In fact,
one pound of phosphorus can produce up
to 500 pounds of aquatic
plant or
algae growth once the phosphorus washes into a lake.
Excessive algal growth can inhibit
the growth of rooted aquatic plants which, in turn,
results
in
less oxygen production for fish. In addition,
when algae dies,
oxygen is consumed in the decomposition
process. On rare occasions, a die off of fish
may result.
The way you
manage your fertilizer use can greatly
affect the fish in the lake.
The best thing to do is to
eliminate the
use of fertilizers containing phosphorus.
Otherwise, if you are going to use fertilizer,
you should fertilize correctly. Do not
over fertilize and only apply the fertilizer
once a year in the fall.
Use only organic fertilizers and
be sure to clean up any spills from the
pavement around your property.
Visit the Cornell
University Department of Horticulture
Lawn Care web site for more information about fertilizing your lawn correctly.
Top
Runoff
As the saying goes, "It all runs
downhill." This
is especially
true along
the shore
of Lake
Ontario.
As a shoreline
owner,
everything
you put
on your
lawn, or
spill onto
your driveway
or other
paved surfaces,
most likely
runs toward
the lake.
This includes
fertilizers,
pesticides,
oil, antifreeze,
detergents,
and even
animal
waste.
Heavy rainfall
increases
this runoff.
This runoff
leads to
the degradation
of fish
habitat
along the
shoreline.
To minimize runoff follow these recommendations:
- Slow
runoff to reduce erosion and settle
out the harmful particles before they
reach the water. To do this, direct runoff
through vegetation by directing runoff
spouts onto gardens and lawns and by
using perforated spouts.
- Clean
up any spills of fertilizers, pesticides
or other chemicals. If your automobile
leaks oil or antifreeze, get the automobile fixed
as soon as possible.
- Clean up after
your pets. Visit the Enhancements page
for more information.
Shoreline Buffers
Keeping the natural vegetation along
your shoreline is especially important for fish. This vegetation
provides habitat for the invertebrates that fish feed on. It also
provides shelter and nesting areas for fish.
You should abstain from creating a
sand beach. Sandy substrates (bottom material) is the least ecologically
productive lake bottom. Covering rocky substrates with sand destroys
fish spawning areas.
See the Buffer section
on this CD for more information.
Top
Sources:
Lakescaping for Wildlife & Water
Quality, by Carrol L. Henderson,
Carolyn J. Dindorf, and Fred J. Rozumalski.
St. Paul, MN: Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, Section
of Wildlife, Nongame Wildlife Program.
1998.
For more information about
fertilizing correctly visit the Cornell
University Department of Horticulture
Lawn Care web site.
