ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the colonization and temporal abundance of selected flora and fauna at two reefs, examines evidence for succession among key biota, and discusses artificial reefs as effective fishery management tools in freshwater. Artificial reefs are used throughout the world to increase the fisheries production potential of barren or relatively unproductive areas. Rapid colonization and initially high exploitation of habitat followed by a subsequent decline in species “richness” has been documented for marine artificial reefs. Presence of Cladophora affected abundance and diversity of invertebrates; when Cladophora disappeared in October, filter feeders dominated the benthic fauna. Prior to installation of the intake structures, the lake bottom in the area matched the prior description of typical inshore habitat in this area of the lake. Two artificial reefs in southeastern Lake Michigan were monitored by scuba divers during 1973-1982 to quantitatively and qualitatively assess periphyton growth, and colonization by invertebrates, macrozoobenthos, and fish, especially yellow perch, slimy sculpin, and alewife.
