Channel Island Near-shore Fish Spawning Reef: Improving Fish Habitat and Resilience

Restoring Saginaw Bay

Coreyon Reef

Channel Island Reef

Kawkawlin Shoal

Project: 2-acre near-shore fish spawning reef along northeast shoreline of Channel Island

  • Primary focus: Increase spawning habitat for native fish species like walleye, lake whitefish, and others
  • Secondary focus: Increase fishing opportunities

Location: Inner Saginaw Bay, 0.5 miles east of Channel Island, 2 miles from the mouth of the Saginaw River (coordinates: 43° 40.07289’ N, 83° 48.15168’ W).

The new 2-acre reef is approximately 427 feet long and 210 feet wide. A barge deposited nearly 20,000 tons of natural limestone cobble from a local quarry on the bay floor to form a long, narrow rock mound. It rises approximately 3–4 feet above the existing lake bottom and sits at least 5.5 feet below the water’s surface, even when water levels are low. Boaters and anglers should exercise caution when navigating near the new reef.

Project status (as of October 2025): Construction began on September 8, 2025, and ended on October 10, 2025. Now that construction has finished, project partners will begin monitoring fish activity at the reef.

Read an October 2025 “Pulse on Science” article from the Great Lakes Fish Commission to learn more about the reef.

Location of reef relative to Channel Island. Image: ECT, Inc.

Watch drone footage of the Channel Island Reef construction (video credit: Zak Allan, Great Lakes Fishery Commission):

Why here?

  • Healthy fish populations and diverse habitats are key to a strong, resilient Saginaw Bay.
  • Location was identified through bottom mapping, sediment sampling, and computer models of wind, wave, and sediment movement.
  • Reef is located in an area with minimal contaminant concerns and met criteria for environmental safety.
  • Reef promotes successful reproduction for multiple native fish species.
  • Firm substrate provides a solid foundation for the reef.
  • High wave energy should keep sediment from settling onto reef over time.
  • Complements existing Coreyon Reef by providing nearshore habitat with connected nursery habitat nearby.

Goals:

  • Support a network of spawning reefs and nursery habitat already expanded by restored Coreyon Reef.
  • Pursue opportunities that incorporate coastal resilience and fish habitat needs.
  • Improve habitats for fish and wildlife species for Saginaw Bay.
  • Work with communities to generate shared vision, support, and buy-in.

Timeline

  • 2020-2022: MDNR and ECT Inc. developed an initial feasibility report exploring several additional reef restoration sites in Saginaw Bay to address coastal resiliency and restoration of critical reef habitat for fish and wildlife with funding from NFWF.
  • 2022: MDNR and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) received funding through a NOAA Regional Partnership to advance additional feasibility, engineering/design, and construction studies for options identified through the feasibility study.
  • 2023: Partners hosted a community workshop to gather input from local stakeholders.
  • 2024: Based on input gathered from local stakeholders during an additional virtual community meeting, GLFC, MDNR, EGLE, ECT Inc., and Purdue University continued to gather and refine feasibility information for the Channel Island and Kawkawlin River restoration sites.
  • 2025: Project partners decided to move forward with construction plans at this site. After the process of bidding and permits, construction began on September 8 and wrapped up on October 10. Now that construction has finished, project partners will begin monitoring fish activity at the reef.

FAQs

Why is it important to add this spawning reef to Saginaw Bay?

Learn more about the importance of rocky reefs to native fish species. Saginaw Bay is recognized as a vital stronghold for lake whitefish, a species declining across most of the Great Lakes. Diversifying spawning locations for fish also helps make populations more resilient against pressure from invasive species, pollution, and habitat loss. The project also aligns with specific management and restoration goals, including Lake Huron Fish Community Objectives, the Lake Huron Lakewide Action and Management Plan, and recommendations in the Walleye and Yellow Perch Recreational Management Plan for Saginaw Bay.

What is this location called?

This location goes by several names, including Shelter Island, Channel Island, Spoils Island, and the U.S. Army Corps Confined Disposal Facility (CDF). Partners refer to this project as the Channel Island Reef.

How was this location chosen?

Projects and locations are chosen and studied carefully to make sure they would be a wise use of funds and effort while meeting local needs. The Channel Island Reef location was identified through bottom mapping and computer models of wind, wave, and sediment movement. The nearby island partially consists of dredged material, so project partners also sampled multiple potential locations for the proposed reef to make sure the reef was located away from contaminated sediments.

Community engagement was a critical part of the project and location selection process. Project partners worked with nearby residents and community leaders to generate a shared vision for the Channel Island Reef project and other proposed projects in the area. Through workshops and meetings, the project team and community representatives identified the Channel Island Reef as a priority location. Support and buy-in from local entities like Bay County and the Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee were essential to the project’s successful completion.

What is the reef made of?

The new 2-acre reef is approximately 427 feet long and 210 feet wide. A barge deposited nearly 20,000 tons of natural limestone cobble from a local quarry on the bay floor to form a long, narrow rock mound. It rises approximately 3–4 feet above the existing lake bottom and sits at least 5.5 feet below the water’s surface, even when water levels are low. Boaters and anglers should exercise caution when navigating near the new reef.

Who paid for this project?

A variety of grant funds supported construction of Channel Island Reef, demonstrating broad confidence and shared investment in this project. These funding sources are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation—National Coastal Resilience Fund, and Dow Chemical Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration settlement money, which supported feasibility studies, construction, and ongoing monitoring.

The total reef construction project cost $1,759,667. This amount does not include non-construction costs like design, feasibility studies, post-construction monitoring, etc.

Who is working on this project?

Channel Island Reef construction involved many partners, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Great Lakes Fishery Commission; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc; LimnoTech; Walsh Service Solutions, LLC; Ryba Marine; and Purdue University. Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension contributed to project outreach and community engagement.

Where can I get more information about these projects?

For technical documents, including design materials and feasibility studies, visit the Great Lakes Fishery Commission project page. 

Contacts