Gizzard Creek Fish Habitat Enhancement

The West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (WOTSWCD), in partnership with the West Battle Lake Association (WBLA) is seeking funds to restore and enhance spawning habitat for Walleye and other fish species in Gizzard Creek, an inlet to West Battle Lake, located in Otter Tail County. In 1996, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), Fisheries Section, in cooperation with the WBLA, added rock and gravel of appropriate size for Walleye spawning in an area approximately 250 feet within Gizzard Creek. Follow up monitoring indicated that Walleye and White Sucker used the newly created spawning habitat. A recent inspection of the site showed that silt has filled in most of the available spawning habitat and significant streambank erosion exists in the area. An enhancement of this site will include updated methods for a self-cleaning spawning riffle and re-establishing a stream bank using bank stabilization methods. Increased streambank stability and in-channel restorations will benefit other recreational use of the lake by reducing sediment and nutrient inputs in the lake.. MNDNR will provide technical assistance on the methods, design and placement of the spawning riffle. The WOTSWCD will provide the technical knowledge and assistance on bank stabilization methods. WOTSWCD has managed streambank and shoreline restoration projects for many years through a variety of Clean Water Fund (CWF) grants. This unique partnership will be beneficial in creating a long-term success at the project site.