Logic behind planned renovations at Willow Slough: Muskrats, birds, fish, habitat, habitat, habitat

MOROCCO, Ind.--Muskrats. They still draw memories of Orion the Hunter in the southern sky while checking traps as a kid. They also bring back that earworm of the Captain and Tennille singing ``Muskrat Love.’’

But I learned something on Aug. 21 about muskrats during a public meeting on coming renovations at J.C. Murphey Lake at Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area.

``They are one of those things people don’t understand, they are kind of valuable as ecosystem indicators,’’ said Mike Schoof, Willow Slough property manager.

Muskrat huts matter for waterfowl, eagles, turtles, mink, otter and even humans. An ice angler who went through climbed on a muskrat hut and stayed alive until he could be rescued.

``Everything and its brother are going to use a muskrat hut,’’ Schoof said.

One reason Murphey will undergo renovations is signaled by the drastic decline in muskrats. Trapping dropped from more than 3,000 in 2008 to less than 25 last year.

``Look across the lake, you will hardly see a muskrat hut,’’ Schoof said.

Willow Slough is an hour south of Chicago on the Illinois line. It began as 7,800 acres in 1949. It is now 9,956 acres, which includes 1,200 acres of open water, marshes and flooded crop land.

It’s nearly twice as big as Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area (more than 5,000 acres) and more than twice as big as Illinois Beach State Park (4,160) and Kankakee River SP (about 4,000).

Willow Slough is the great public outdoors recreation spot near Chicago.

Other renovations were done in ‘62, ‘77, ‘89 and 2003.

Dale Bowman

Willow Slough started as a waterfowl refuge, but, as Schoof noted, ``Even from the get-go, it was good fishing.’’

Anglers wondered why renovations are needed.

``It is still a quality fishery, probably still a top 10 in the state for bluegill and largemouth bass,’’ Schoof said. ``But declines are beginning, even as a fishery.’’

Common carp came in after a high-water event. They outcompete other fish and add turbidity. Golden shiners and bullhead established.

Ditches are silting in. Ditches, with their depth, are safety zones to prevent fish kills. A major fish kill in winter triggered the last renovation.

Dewatering will allow intensive control against phragmites and other non-natives. Staff worked on phragmites with aerial applications beginning in 2015.

Massive water events in 2014 and ‘15 flooded out native cattails, which are nearly gone. Loss of cattails matters because waterfowl become more easily disturbed without the blocking of cattails. Waterfowl usage peaked in 2011.

If we can’t get the landscape down to mud flats, we won’t see [cattails] back,’’ Schoof said.

Species of concern have been on the decline since 2010. Yellow-headed blackbirds are rarely seen any more. Schoof said the two most noticeable differences have been the American and least bitterns.

``It is an overall resources concern, not just hunting and fishing that we are concerned about,’’ Schoof said in a later interview. ``It is a collective group of species we are looking at, overall ecosystem health is a good way of saying it.’’

Here is the expected timeline.

The process should begin this fall with a hoped-for release of restrictions on panfish and largemouth bass going to statewide regulations (five bass, 14 inches or longer). The permitting process, involving many agencies, will begin.

In ‘20-21, there will be no panfish regulations and largemouth will stay at statewide regs. In ‘22, dewatering should begin in February or March. Fishing will be allowed until it becomes a safety issue. Staff will begin moving some fish, tentatively, to other FWAs such as Jasper-Pulaski and Winamac; and to other places at Willow Slough for holding. Treatment of phragmites and other non-natives begins as does ditch clearing.

In ‘23, the lake should be down and work by heavy equipment begins. There will be habitat work: building brush piles, stake beds (never done before at Willow Slough) and rock piles (another new thing). When appropriate, any remaining fish will be killed with Rotenone.

Around September, 2023, boards should start being placed back in the dam.

``Then wait on rain,’’ Schoof said.

If things go well, fish should be put back in the lake in the fall of ‘23. That fall, it should open for waterfowl hunting, then ice fishing.

By 2024, the lake should be full pool and formally reopened.

Schoof is hoping they can make 20-25 years this time between renovations.

``Now is the time to suggest projects,’’ Schoof told the crowd at the meeting.

Good questions and points came during the Q&A.

Would there be more bank fishing? No. Is there a possibility of a floating dock? It appears a pier will come from nearby LaSalle FWA. Could there be better access for ice anglers? Schoof thought that possible.

``Most importantly, get good quality habitat back out there,’’ Schoof said. ``It is going to take us a while.’’

Dale Bowman