Project collaboration at Bois Frank, Lake Kipawa
Over the past year, Water First and Kebaowek First Nation collaborated on a restoration project to repair a damaged historical walleye spawning site at Bois Franc, Lake Kipawa. The restoration team included members from Kebaowek Land Management, staff from Water First, and consulting biologist Richard Rowe of FRi Ecological Services.
The interns from the Kebaowek team, Kacie McLaren and McKaylii Jawbone, recently shared with us a written summary of the project. It outlined the four different stages the project required, from site assessments and the final selection, to moving nine tonnes of rock by hand to create a spawning shoal. In the process, they also received hands-on training for water quality analysis. Kacie and McKaylii are all set to monitor the site this spring to see if the restoration was successful and are already looking forward to this year’s restoration project.
The Importance of Spawning Shoals
Walleye begin their spawning cycle in the spring immediately after the ice clears. They deposit their eggs over rock and cobble shoals, where the fertilized eggs fall into the crevices between the stones to incubate and hatch safely away from predators.
By restoring these rocky environments, the project provides the necessary infrastructure for the next generation of fish. Under even the most ideal conditions, only 1% of fertilized eggs survive to adulthood, making the quality of these spawning sites vital.
“Put the Big Fish Back”
A critical component of maintaining a healthy walleye population is the selective harvest of fish, particularly during the vulnerable spawning season. They are particularly vulnerable to angling and netting during this time, and over-harvest will diminish the overall stock of fish in the lake.
You can often tell male from female walleye apart by size and shape. Males are typically smaller (15-21 inches) with longer heads. Females are generally larger with rounder bodies and smaller heads relative to their size.
Why Save the Large Females?
- High Egg Production: Female walleye carry roughly 26,000 eggs per pound of body weight. A single 10-lb female can carry up to 250,000 eggs.
- Genetic Health: Releasing large females ensures that “big fish” genes remain in the population.
To support the fishery, it is recommended to selectively harvest small to medium-sized males while returning large, egg-carrying females to the water. This practice, combined with habitat restoration, ensures a sustainable future for the Kipawa Watershed.
