Conservation News

Adding fish habitat to Bull Shoals

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The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Bass Pro Shops approached the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2013 with a grant to fund a project to add fish habitat structures in the Missouri portions of Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake. Tracker Boats donated the habitat barge that is used to sink the habitat structures.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Bass Pro Shops approached the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2013 with a grant to fund a project to add fish habitat structures in the Missouri portions of Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake. Tracker Boats donated the habitat barge that is used to sink the habitat structures.
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Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake do not support the growth of aquatic vegetation because of the seasonal fluctuation of the water level. The few habitat structures that exist have been deteriorating for a few years. Our goal of this project was to increase habitat within the lakes to attract sportfish for anglers. The outline discusses the steps used to complete the project.
Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake do not support the growth of aquatic vegetation because of the seasonal fluctuation of the water level. The few habitat structures that exist have been deteriorating for a few years. Our goal of this project was to increase habitat within the lakes to attract sportfish for anglers. The outline discusses the steps used to complete the project.
Habitat placement areas included coves, main lake points, and main lake flats. All of these areas have restrictions based on depth to avoid navigation hazards. The placement of fish habitat structures by the public is prohibited without written authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Habitat placement areas included coves, main lake points, and main lake flats. All of these areas have restrictions based on depth to avoid navigation hazards. The placement of fish habitat structures by the public is prohibited without written authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The next step was to hire staff and contractors for the project.
The next step was to hire staff and contractors for the project.
• Starting with the top left picture… Fence stays or cable is used to make handles for the anchors. <br> • Plywood is placed on the ground, then flat edged cinder blocks are placed side by side. <br> • Blocks are filled with concrete (pea gravel mix works the best when you push handles in later).<br> • We have averaged 115 blocks per yard of concrete. <br> • Each anchor weighs approximately 80 pounds. <br> • Brush the concrete off the top of the blocks with a broom, then push the handles in before the concrete sets up. <br> • PVC handle for carrying blocks (more comfortable on your hands). <br> • Staff pouring anchors on the shoreline for ease of access.
• Starting with the top left picture… Fence stays or cable is used to make handles for the anchors.
• Plywood is placed on the ground, then flat edged cinder blocks are placed side by side.
• Blocks are filled with concrete (pea gravel mix works the best when you push handles in later).
• We have averaged 115 blocks per yard of concrete.
• Each anchor weighs approximately 80 pounds.
• Brush the concrete off the top of the blocks with a broom, then push the handles in before the concrete sets up.
• PVC handle for carrying blocks (more comfortable on your hands).
• Staff pouring anchors on the shoreline for ease of access.
Ease of access from the lake shoreline is important for tree selection. Eastern Red Cedar trees on the forest edge typically have a fuller crown because of more access to sunlight. Slope of the shoreline/bank is another important consideration when selecting trees. Eastern Red Cedar trees are selected because they make good habitat, have lots of branches, are very abundant on the lakes, have good longevity, and can still be utilized while trying to protect roosting bats (that may be utilizing other hardwood trees).
Ease of access from the lake shoreline is important for tree selection. Eastern Red Cedar trees on the forest edge typically have a fuller crown because of more access to sunlight. Slope of the shoreline/bank is another important consideration when selecting trees. Eastern Red Cedar trees are selected because they make good habitat, have lots of branches, are very abundant on the lakes, have good longevity, and can still be utilized while trying to protect roosting bats (that may be utilizing other hardwood trees).
Once the tree has been cut, a floating 3/4” twisted polypropylene rope is attached from the barge to the tree with a clevis. The barge is used to drag the tree to the shoreline.
Once the tree has been cut, a floating 3/4” twisted polypropylene rope is attached from the barge to the tree with a clevis. The barge is used to drag the tree to the shoreline.
3/16” solid braid nylon rope is used to attach the concrete anchors to the trunk of the trees. Average number is 5 blocks per tree (400 pounds), and staff have used as little as 3 blocks and as much as 10 blocks per tree.
3/16” solid braid nylon rope is used to attach the concrete anchors to the trunk of the trees. Average number is 5 blocks per tree (400 pounds), and staff have used as little as 3 blocks and as much as 10 blocks per tree.
The barge has a elevated rack with a winch attached to one arm. This is used to hoist the tree with anchors attached. Utilize the rope/winch to cradle the trunk and tighten up the slack (make sure at least one limb is caught in the rope for dragging purposes). A depth finder is attached to the rack and is used to find the appropriate depth for placement. One end of the rope is detached from the cleat and the weight of the tree pulls the rope back through the “cradle”. A marker buoy is used to mark the first tree and another tree is dragged in placed next to the first. GPS is used to mark the location of the structure and then made publicly available to anglers.
The barge has a elevated rack with a winch attached to one arm. This is used to hoist the tree with anchors attached. Utilize the rope/winch to cradle the trunk and tighten up the slack (make sure at least one limb is caught in the rope for dragging purposes). A depth finder is attached to the rack and is used to find the appropriate depth for placement. One end of the rope is detached from the cleat and the weight of the tree pulls the rope back through the “cradle”. A marker buoy is used to mark the first tree and another tree is dragged in placed next to the first. GPS is used to mark the location of the structure and then made publicly available to anglers.
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The project is advertised through Missouri Department of Conservation website, Newspapers in Arkansas and Missouri, and Facebook. The project is also advertised through angler contacts at boat ramps, along with resort owners, marina owners, and private boat dock owners. <p> Thank you to all of the cooperators for allowing access to launch the barge and park the barge on the lake near the working areas.
The project is advertised through Missouri Department of Conservation website, Newspapers in Arkansas and Missouri, and Facebook. The project is also advertised through angler contacts at boat ramps, along with resort owners, marina owners, and private boat dock owners.
Thank you to all of the cooperators for allowing access to launch the barge and park the barge on the lake near the working areas.
Printable maps were made with coordinates for anglers to use. The Missouri Department of Conservation also has a MO Fishing Interactive Map on the internet that lets you download coordinates and see what is currently in the lake. This not only includes structures created in 2016, but also past structures. Click on a symbol to get coordinates, ID, type of structure, and the year installed. A MO Fishing mobile App is also being updated to include the new habitat locations.
Printable maps were made with coordinates for anglers to use. The Missouri Department of Conservation also has a MO Fishing Interactive Map on the internet that lets you download coordinates and see what is currently in the lake. This not only includes structures created in 2016, but also past structures. Click on a symbol to get coordinates, ID, type of structure, and the year installed. A MO Fishing mobile App is also being updated to include the new habitat locations.
We would like to know if the structures have been a success. Fish have been caught on the structures as soon as a week and a half after installation. Pictured are fish being caught on the structures that were installed during this project. We would like to evaluate what the optimal size tree is for structure longevity. We would like to evaluate how many trees are needed for the biggest benefit. We would like to evaluate the structure design and depth for optimal fish use and angler accessibility throughout the year.…. Answering some of these questions will guide our future management decisions.
We would like to know if the structures have been a success. Fish have been caught on the structures as soon as a week and a half after installation. Pictured are fish being caught on the structures that were installed during this project. We would like to evaluate what the optimal size tree is for structure longevity. We would like to evaluate how many trees are needed for the biggest benefit. We would like to evaluate the structure design and depth for optimal fish use and angler accessibility throughout the year.…. Answering some of these questions will guide our future management decisions.
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