The Water's Edge

The water's edge is a busy place. Northern pike, bluegills, bass, and other fish spawn in the shallow water along the shore. Loons, ducks, geese, and other water birds nest along the banks. Wildlife such as frogs, otters, and mink live there, too. Shoreline areas—on land and into the shallow water— provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes and streams. Overdeveloped shorelines can't support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are so appealing to the people attracted to the water's edge. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening to many Minnesota lakes. The problem is poorly planned lakeshore development. Bit by bit, the cumulative effects of tens of thousands of lakeshore homeowners "fixing up" their property are destroying the state's valuable lakeshores. Some examples: Sand trucked in for swimming beaches covers underwater gravel or silt used by: • fish for spawning • mayflies for burrows • frogs for laying eggs. Aquatic vegetation removed to create swimming and boating areas eliminates shoreline stabilizing plants that are also habitat for: • bass and other fish that hide among the plants and spawn in areas protected from waves • loons that nest on floating vegetation • waterfowl that feed on underwater plants • insects that live among underwater vegetation. Shoreline shrubs and "unsightly" fallen trees are removed to create golf course-type lawns, thus eliminating habitat for wildlife such as: • songbirds that use these shrubs for nesting • ducks that lay eggs in native shoreline grasses • turtles that sun on fallen logs • bass and panfish that hide in the shade under toppled trees.