Water Habitats

Fox River Open Water

This habitat type refers to the open water of the Fox River (i.e., lower Fox River), which is a third order stream that flows northeast starting from Lake Winnebago and emptying into the bay of Green Bay. Within the LGBFR AOC, this open water category runs from the De Pere Dam to the mouth of the Fox River. Critical fish spawning habitat occurs in this community type by the De Pere Dam for lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), walleye (Sander vitreus), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). Other spawning reefs and areas are located along the edges of the Fox River. Waterways by the De Pere Dam Fox River are known for being hosting a world-class walleye fishery. 

Two submergent marshes are located along the eastern shoreline by the Fox Point Boat Launch and in the outer reaches and mouth of Ashwaubenon Creek adjacent to the Fox River on the western Fox River shoreline. Besides fish, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), birds (especially waterfowl and waterbirds), bats, anurans (frogs and toads) and turtles use the waterways, air space and/or terrestrial riparian habitats of the Fox River Open Water community.

Green Bay Open Water

Green Bay Open Water consists of the open water/pelagic zone of the lower bay of Green Bay, which is the western arm of Lake Michigan. The Fox River empties into the lower bay. Sediments largely consist of sand and silt.

Special features include Point Sable Bar and Frying Pan Shoal, which is a drowned sandbar that extends from Point au Sable on the eastern shoreline of the bay to Longtail Point on the west shore. Historically, in low water years, Native Americans used to walk on foot from Point au Sable to the west shore. To the southeast of the mouth of the Fox River is Renard Island, which is a confined disposal facility used for storing shipping channel dredge material. There is a fish spawning reef around Renard Island, the McDonald Marina and Joliet Park.

Over 80 species of fish have been reported in the Green Bay Open Water community. Many waterfowl species use these waters during migration, colonial nesting birds utilize the bay’s islands for breeding, and invertebrates use the water and nearshore habitat.

Inland Open Water

Including small retention ponds, there are several inland bodies of open water in the LGBFR AOC, though there are five areas with a significant amount of inland open water that provide important habitat for fish and wildlife, including: 

1. Point au Sable lagoon in the Town of Scott
2. Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary ponds in Green Bay
3. West shore suburban ponds in Suamico
4. Pond just south of Hurlbut Street in Green Bay
5. Abbey Pond in De Pere

Habitats surrounding open water (inland) may include emergent marsh (inland), shrub carr and hardwood swamp.

Many different bird species utilize inland open water (or adjacent habitats) for breeding. Inland water bodies are particularly important to marsh-obligate breeding birds during low water level years in the bay of Green Bay when few deep emergent marshes are available. Many different fish species and odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) also use inland ponds.

Tributary Open Water

This habitat type refers to the open water of tributaries whose boundaries fall within the LGBFR AOC study area; nearly every river, stream and creek found within these boundaries empty into the bay of Green Bay or the Fox River.

Tributaries provide critical habitat for many fish species for migration, spawning, foraging, sheltering and nurseries throughout different times of year. Aquatic invertebrates, such as freshwater mussels, also use Tributary Open Water habitat (e.g., Wequiock Creek).