Mike Sperry has been scooping bait for the last six years owner of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors, featuring mostly tackle and fishing equipment. He's also a long-time state licensed guide on Chautauqua Lake.

"I've fished all my life, so yeah, I'm living out what I wanted to do," said Sperry.

He's also a member of Muskies Inc. Chapter 69 out of Rochester and was recently part of a habitat improvement project in Chautauqua Lake.

"Definitely a need for it. Trying to restore some of the fish habitat in spawning areas especially," said Sperry.

To do that, crews placed several wooden fish cribs in sections of Bemus Bay, to protect the muskies and other game fish.

"Algae will grow on them and they will kind of develop their own little Eco system with an opportunity for fish to get into those cribs and hide from larger predators," said Andy Ohl, member, Muskies Inc. Chapter 69.

Ohl says this is the first time the state has allowed cribs to be placed in a lake through the permitting process.

Crew leaders say the cribs will compensate for what they say is weed loss from recent herbicide applications.

"There isn't any structure or habitat for fish when the weeds are gone. We don't have large rock piles or other structures that would serve as kind of nursery areas where small fish could hide," said Ohl.

Crews enlisted the help of the Chautauqua Lake Association and it's transport vessels.

"And we rolled those cribs right off the conveyor and into the water. It was pretty cool to watch," said Heather Nolan-Caskey, community relations, Finance Manager, Chautauqua Lake Association.

While the CLA also harvests lake weeds, leaders say they just sheer the tops, leaving the bottoms in the water, as they recognize the economic impact of the fishing industry.

"So, whether they're local fisherman or coming in from out of town, if 50 percent of those boats on the lake that we see are fisherman, we need to do what we can to protect those fisheries," said Nolan-Caskey.

Which is important to anglers like Mike, who says more cribs are expected to go in the water.

"This is a multi-use lake also, we realize that, but fishing is a big part of this community," said Sperry.

Muskies, Inc/ has permits to drop cribs in two additional areas of the lake, with the hope of expanding the project to other lakes across the state.

Because the group is a non-profit, crews are volunteering their time, and relying on fundraisers as well as donations for materials.

If you or someone you know may want to volunteer or contribute to the project, click here.