Sheboygan
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
FISHER CREEK, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
T16N R22E Sec. 26 Stream Length = 4.4 miles
Fisher Creek originates in a large wetland complex upstream of CTH MM in the Town of Herman in northern Sheboygan County. The creek flows southeasterly to its confluence with the Pigeon River east of STH 32 in the Village of Howards Grove. Land use is agriculture with increasing urbanization downstream. Lakeland College tributary flows to Jetzers Creek, which is tributary to Fisher Creek. These streams are discussed separately. Fisher Creek is classified as a Warm Water Forage Fish community stream and is partially meeting its full potential use (Aartila 1997). Fish historically found in Fisher Creek include, blacknose dace, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, common shiner, creek chub hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and northern pike (Fago 1985). A recent fish survey conducted in 1997 collected six species (Table 74).
The HBI values from the macroinvertebrate sampling conducted in 1996 show fair to fairly poor water quality in Fisher Creek. The stream is limited by sedimentation, excessive nutrients, and stream flow fluctuations. This is caused by channelization, wetland drainage, cropland and barnyard runoff, and stream bank erosion (Aartila 1997).
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Overview
FISHER CREEK, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY - T16N R22E Sec. 26, Stream Length = 4.4 miles.
Fisher Creek originates in a large wetland complex upstream of CTH MM in the Town of Herman in northern Sheboygan County. The creek flows southeasterly to its confluence with the Pigeon River east of STH 32 in the Village of Howards Grove. Land use is agriculture with increasing urbanization downstream. Lakeland College tributary flows to Jetzers Creek, which is tributary to Fisher Creek. These streams are discussed separately.
Fisher Creek is classified as a Warm Water Forage Fish community stream and is partially meeting its full potential use (Aartila 1997). Fish historically found in Fisher Creek include, blacknose dace, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, common shiner, creek chub hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and northern pike (Fago 1985). A recent fish survey conducted in 1997 collected six species. The Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) values from the macroinvertebrate sampling conducted in 1996 show fair to fairly poor water quality in Fisher Creek. The stream is limited by sedimentation, excessive nutrients, and stream flow fluctuations. This is caused by channelization, wetland drainage, cropland and barnyard runoff, and stream bank erosion (Aartila 1997).
From: Galarneau, Steve and Masterson, John. 1999. Water Resources of the Sheboygan River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1999
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Fisher Creek (WBIC 62500) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category).
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 603288 | Fisher Creek at Sth 32 (Bi Survey) | 5/21/1980 | 6/6/1998 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10033782 | Fisher Creek - Upstream of CTHY A | 11/14/2011 | 10/5/2022 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10034560 | Fisher Creek - USGS Gauge Station | 7/27/2011 | 1/6/2016 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10033783 | Fisher Creek - 125 meters downstream of CTH FF | 11/14/2011 | 10/21/2015 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10016360 | Fisher Creek - Immediately Upstream Of Jetzerslake Tributary (Lakeland College) | 5/14/1996 | 5/14/1996 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10033781 | Fisher Creek - Upstream of Highway 32 | 11/14/2011 | 10/16/2024 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10016357 | Jetzer Lake Outlet - 75 Feet Upstm Of Confluence Withfischer Cr. | 11/30/1987 | 11/30/1987 | Map | Data |
| 62500 | Fisher Creek | 10016987 | Fisher Creek - Fisher Creek At Sth 32 Upstream of Howards Grove | 5/24/1994 | 5/24/1994 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Fisher Creek is located in the Pigeon River watershed which is 78.87 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.30%), grassland (18.60%) and a mix of forest (10.20%) and other uses (13.90%). This watershed has 110.34 stream miles, 769.54 lake acres and 3,149.60 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.