Kyle Lake Improvement Project
With funding from the Redbank Trust, the Jefferson Conservation District is partnering with the PA Fish and Boat Commission to do improvements at Kyle Lake in Jefferson County. Improvements include repairing the gates, the addition of a new handicapped accessible fishing pier, and habitat improvements.
In the fall of 2015, the District helped the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Class build turtle basking platforms. Fifteen platforms were installed on April 20, 2016 as part of the habitat improvments. By sitting atop these platforms, turtles can hide from predators and will be able to thermo-regulate, which aids in their digestion.
Also on April 20, 2016, 56 wooden catfish spawning boxes, as well as 7 spawning boxes made from culvert pipe, were put into the lake. The spawning boxes allow the cat fish to enter through a hole and lay their eggs inside, which will keep them safe from predators. Summer interns at Penn State DuBois will monitor the catfish boxes with cameras to record fish usage and spawning rates.
