Fish Habitat Structures
Fish carrying capacity can be increased by installing additional structure and fish cribs. Fish cribs are important to the fishery in that they provide good habitat for all levels of the water food chain; especially in the greater depths. Fish cribs are effective at increasing the carrying capacity of the lake. Please contact us for pricing and availability.
We recommend a minimum of 8 structure sites per acre. We have new durable plastic fish cribs that can easily be suspended at any water depth or placed on the bottom of your pond or lake. Fish cribs or structure can be made from logs, tree roots, concrete, plastic piping, or hardwood pallets with branches in the slots. In winter, cribs can easily be anchored with concrete blocks or rocks and placed on the ice and allowed to sink when the ice melts.
ABI's Fathead Minnow Fortress
Each ABI Fathead Minnow Fortress is hand built right here in Fond du Lac, WI. Fathead minnow fortresses are specifically designed as a fathead minnow spawning structure, allowing a single male to claim each tube as "his" area for the season. Male fathead minnows are very territorial, and the design of the ABI fathead minnow fortress maximizes nesting sites by limiting visual contact between neighboring male - meaning they will spend less energy on fighting and more energy on attracting females and caring for the eggs. We offer these as a complete unit or we offer a PDF instruction manual if you would rather build them yourself.
ABI's Fish Crib
The most functional, convenient, and cost-effective means of encouraging fish survival. A permanent habitat for fish at any water depth. A durable shelter for fish through all life cycles that encourages added feeding areas, cover, spawning, and population survival.
Made of corrulite, a rugged corrugated plastic, that offers strength with minimal weight. The ABI Fish Crib measures approximately 48" wide X 60" long X 48" high. Six panels connected by four supports and 44 plastic fasteners create various-sized openings at different heights to attract small and large fish. All components are black. The two solid panels form the top and bottom of the ABI Fish Crib, while the four cutout panels form the sides. May easily be filled with added brush to add additional size and cover. Simply anchor or weight with a concrete block. ABI Fish Cribs can be installed at any depth. A hinged top panel allows replacement of brush, keeping the ABI Fish Crib functional indefinitely.
Advantages:
- Concentrates fish to certain areas
- Lightweight (only about 20 pounds)
- Sturdy
- Modular in design for quick, simple assembly
- Easily transported
- Can be installed by just one person
- Durable - lasts indefinitely
- Safe - for boaters and water enthusiasts
- Easily anchored
- May be floated at any water depth where vegetation and other cover may be lacking
Other Fish Structure Options
Customized fish structures and spawning beds are available in Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and surrounding areas upon request. Please contact one of our fisheries biologists at 1-800-442-6648 or email info@aquaticbiologists.com.
Floating Islands may also be used as fish structure and increased carrying capacity.