KAGAWONG—The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters District Zone D has provided a donation to Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA) that will be used by the latter for restoration work on the Kagawong River this year.
“We approved a donation of $3,000 to Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA) this year,” said Roy Polsky, chair of OFAH Zone D following the group’s annual general meeting earlier this month. He pointed out the OFAH has donated $2,500 annually to MSIA for several years. “This year we raised our limit on donations from $2,500 to $3,000.”
Seija Deschenes, coordinator for MSIA said, “we always appreciate the support we receive from OFAH and other groups for what we are doing on Manitoulin Island. The OFAH has always been supportive.”
“This year we are hoping to restore the mouth of the Kagawong River. We have a site design in place. We had hoped to carry out this work last year, but with some funding we had hoped for we couldn’t undertake this project. Instead, we focused our attention on a project on the Manitou River.”
“This year we are planning to make improvements to the habitat at the mouth of the (Kagawong) river so we will be putting in things like vortex weirs, root wads and boulder clusters to improve spawning habitat,” said Ms. Deschenes. “And the design for this project that was created will, when climate events occur (and water levels on the river are low) focus water energy in the middle of the river so there is still enough water to allow for fish to spawn.”
“We are also hoping to do riparian restoration work on the river mouth and improving habitat,” said Ms. Deschenes. “The mouth of the river is one of the sites that we have listed to enhance in our strategy planning on Manitoulin.”
MSIA is also, “planning to put in an angling platform,” said Ms. Deschenes. “We have sent out tenders for bids on the work to be done. The whole idea is angling opportunities, and the platform will be accessible to everyone, so people of all (mobility) abilities will be able to use the platform. The platform will allow locals and tourists to have a great place to fish and observe the river from, and grandparents and parents can bring their children or grandkids to an area without some of the concerns with safety. There will also be educational information and signage established. We will be asking members of the community and groups in Kagawong what they would like to see on the signs to what members of the community would like posted.”
It is anticipated the restoration work on the river will take place in July, followed by the installation of the fishing platform and signage after that, said Ms. Deschenes. Ms. Deschenes noted that the habitat work will benefit the Rainbow Trout that access the river in the spring, and the salmon in the fall, as well as bass and pike.
