The panfish and rock bass in the once-industrial Burnham Canal use human-made structures to their own advantage, spawning around a degrading concrete shelf. Waterfowl, including the endangered Black Crown Night Heron, feed on aquatic life found here. Meanwhile, the Menomonee River serves as a spawning site for salmon and trout, who spend most of their life in Lake Michigan. A clean, connected river system enables lake fish to thrive and means recreational opportunities for people who fish or birdwatch.