2026 Great Lakes Coastal Symposium

Fish such as Northern Pike spawn in interior wet meadows; however, access to this habitat has been greatly reduced by the spread of invasive hybrid cattail, particularly in Lake Ontario coastal wetlands. Channels have been excavated through cattail marshes to restore connectivity, but monitoring is needed to determine whether restored habitats are accessible and functioning for fish. Braddock Bay, a large drowned river-mouth wetland on Lake Ontario, underwent marsh channel restoration to increase habitat availability and connectivity. From 2018–2022, we evaluated fish use of restored channels and adjacent wetlands through wetland fish community surveys and targeted young-of-year (YOY) fish monitoring. Across monitoring efforts, 17 fish species were documented, including recreationally important Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens), and Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). YOY surveys captured 15 species and more than 3,600 individuals, with most collected from restored habitats. YOY Northern Pike were detected in four consecutive years following restoration, providing evidence that restored channels support spawning and nursery functions. This case study highlights how we can use post-restoration fish monitoring, including the use of an existing monitoring program, to assess connectivity and evaluate ecological performance criteria.