It is no surprise that freshwater estuaries are often the destination of hunters and anglers. Freshwater estuaries are both the nursery and kitchen for diverse populations of fish and wildlife that rely on them for shelter, food, and spawning areas.
Fish
The fisheries of the Great Lakes and its connected river systems are closely linked to freshwater estuaries. The coastal wetlands associated with freshwater estuaries provide important nursery and refuge areas for a variety of fish species. For example, over 90 percent of the approximately 2000 species of fish in the Great Lakes are directly dependent on coastal wetlands for some part of their life cycle. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has indicated that the Fish Creek freshwater estuary near Ashland serves as a nursery for nearly every variety of fish found in Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay. The Fish Creek freshwater estuary and its associated tributaries also account for 20 percent of the state's self-sustaining migratory fisheries. Freshwater estuaries and their associated wetlands are important to maintaining Great Lakes fisheries and the recreational and economic opportunities they provide.
Wildlife
The diversity of habitats, water depths, sediment types, and other natural features found in freshwater estuaries make them important for many wildlife species. Great Lakes coastal wetlands, like those associated with freshwater estuary systems, have long been recognized as places of increased biodiversity and abundant wildlife. 
Freshwater estuaries are especially important for many species of birds. Great Lakes coastal wetlands with a high mixture of different habitats, such as the marshes, aquatic vegetation beds, and open water areas frequently found in freshwater estuaries, are considered very valuable for waterfowl feeding, nesting, and migrating. The Great Lakes also serve as a corridor for migrating songbirds and shorebirds. The coastal wetlands of freshwater estuaries offer critical food and shelter for these migrants.
Sources for Additional Information:
A Data Compilation and Assessment of Coastal Wetlands of Wisconsin’s Great Lakes, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Coastal Wetlands, State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference Background Paper.
Watersheds of the Superior Basin, Fish Creek Watershed, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Banner photos: Northern leopard frog, American coot - Jeff Strobel; tiger swallowtail butterflies - Patrick Robinson.
Page photos: angler at sunset - Jeff Strobel; mallard duck - Patrick Robinson.
For more information about this site contact Patrick Robinson, Environmental Restoration Specialist, at patrick.robinson@ces.uwex.edu
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