Fish Cribs for Habitat

Fish Cribs: The Chippewa Flowage was created over 75 years ago. In those 75 years many trees and stumps that harbored food and shelter for fish have disappeared through natural decay. Realizing that structure must be replaced for a healthy fishery, the Lake Chippewa Resort Association, along with the Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association started building and placing fish cribs in Flowage waters. Since March, 1996, 1,802 cribs have been built and placed by volunteers from these associations.

No other lake associations in the Hayward area, State of Wisconsin, or possibly the nation can boast this kind of success. The financing came from donations to the “Adopt a Crib or Reef” program, memorial funds, raffles, fishing contests, collection jars at resorts, fishing clubs and the treasury of both associations.

None of the money for this $20,000-plus project has come from government sources. This is an on-going project. Members of both associations are committed to preserving and enhancing this great fishery for current and future generations.

If you are interested in supporting this effort, mail donations to: CFAPOA; Adopt-a-crib; P.O. Box 905; Hayward, WI 54843

Fish Cribs for Habitat
Fish CribsChippewa Flowage Fish Cribs
Fish Cribs
Fish Cribs are built on shore or on the ice, logs used to construct 8’ x 8’ x 4’ tall structures in a “Lincoln Log” style. Spaces between the logs allowed fish to swim in and out of the cribs once the cribs were in place on the lake bottom. After transporting the large heavy cribs to lake shores, 4 wheelers or ATVs haul the cribs on to the ice in winter and stuffed them with brush, increasing the woody habitat. The weighted structures sink in the spring as the ice melts.