Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021 - 35

others remain in various stages of
planning and construction.
As an agency, the PFBC is committed
to transparency and constantly
demonstrating how angler dollars are
spent effectively and responsibly. The
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater is the
perfect place to feature many of the
successful projects funded by voluntary
permits, and the PFBC will be shining a
spotlight on these projects in each issue.
Learn more about the Voluntary
Permit Program, and purchase voluntary
permits at www.fishandboat.com.
Lake Habitat Structures
Lake Wallenpaupack,
Pike and Wayne Counties
Voluntary Permit:
Bass Investment: $10,000
On August 31, 2021, the PFBC Lake
Habitat Section staff deployed 62 wooden,
short vertical plank structures into several
shallow water sections along the shoreline
at Lake Wallenpaupack. Locations for
these 3-foot-tall, manmade structures were identified
through habitat assessments and fish population surveys,
revealing areas that were void of quality, natural fish
habitat such as rock piles, stumps, or fallen trees.
Over time, these structures will become covered in
algae, creating a food source for macroinvertebrates such
as dragonfly larvae, midges, and snails, which form the
base of the aquatic food web.
" The presence of those macroinvertebrates then
attracts smaller fish such as baitfish and panfish, " said
Vinnie Lessard, Lake Habitat Manager, PFBC Division
of Habitat Management. " That increased activity then
attracts the larger fish, including Largemouth Bass and
Smallmouth Bass, which eat both the smaller fish and the
Pictured are (left to right) Kyle Schlittler, PFBC Fisheries Biologist Aide, Stream
Habitat Section, points to the location where habitat structures will be placed along
the shoreline of Lake Wallenpaupack. Vinnie Lessard, Lake Habitat Manager, PFBC
Division of Habitat Management, navigates the boat, while Paul Cinkan, PFBC
Fisheries Biologist Aide, Stream Habitat Section, looks on.
macroinvertebrates. These structures provide a great place
for the bass to carry out their ambush-style predation, "
said Lessard.
As fish activity flourishes, anglers are the real winners.
Lake Wallenpaupack is annually home to several large
bass fishing tournaments, and these habitat structures
attract a lot of attention.
" Our habitat maps are updated yearly, letting anglers
know exactly where we've placed these structures, " said
Lessard. " You may locate the GPS coordinates on
www.fishandboat.com and by using the FishBoatPA
mobile app. If you are watching on a fish finder as you
travel across the lake, these structures really stand out and
typically hold a lot of fish, " said Lessard.
The impact of lake habitat structures is
long-lasting and represents a tremendous
value. Each structure is built from
rough-cut hemlock and weighed down
with nine concrete blocks, ensuring
structures will immediately find a
solid footing on the lake bottom. If the
structures remain under water and are
not continuously exposed to sunlight, ice,
and wave action, structures have been
known to last 30 years or longer.
The project was completed
Habitat structures to be placed along the shoreline of Lake Wallenpaupack,
Pike and Wayne counties.
www.fishandboat.com
in partnership with the Lake
Wallenpaupack Watershed Management
District, which provided additional
equipment and manpower to assist with
placing the structures.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2021
35
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021

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