FWP, Fresno Walleyes Unlimited sink Christmas Trees in Fresno Reservoir

Press release

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited recently partnered up to help improve fish habitat in Fresno Reservoir.

This project consists of bundling salvaged Christmas trees and placing them in specific areas of the reservoir with the primary goal of improving spawning habitat for yellow perch. This is the second consecutive year for this project on Fresno.

Yellow perch typically deposit their eggs in a gelatinous membrane called a "skein," which they often drape over submerged vegetation and branches during their spring spawn.

Christmas tree structures were placed so that, as the reservoir fills in the spring, the trees will become submerged in areas likely to be used by yellow perch for spawning activity.

By providing additional spawning habitat for yellow perch, it is hoped that over time the numbers of this species will improve in the reservoir.

An increase in the abundance of this important forage species is also beneficial to predatory fish in the reservoir such as walleye and northern pike.

Primary funding for this project comes from a grant from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Future Fisheries Improvement Program and contributions from the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited. Special thanks goes out to all who donated their time and equipment to help accomplish the implementation of this project.