Crews sinking cedar trees at Bennett’s Bayou
Fishing habitat improvements were recently completed in the Bennett’s Bayou arm of Norfork Lake as part of an effort to improve shoreline fishing, enhance habitats and improve conditions for campers in the area.
Biologists in north central Arkansas, along with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) staff from across the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, completed the work earlier this month.
The project included work at the Gamaliel Campground, where crews selectively cut trees to open the canopy around several campsites. The work should improve the overall camping experience while also providing easier access to shoreline fishing, including access to an existing brush pile near the bank.
Crews also used a mix of cedar and hardwood trees from the campground and surrounding area to enhance fish habitat in the lake. The trees were placed on existing brush pile sites in the bayou. The structures created will provide cover for baitfish and larger sport fish.
According to AGFC, cedar trees provide immediate, dense cover for fish, while hardwoods offered longer lasting cover which benefits and encourages species such as crappie, bass and walleye.
The agency hopes the new debris piles will help maintain productive fishing areas and should improve conditions ahead of the upcoming crappie spawn.
Anglers can access coordinate locations for brush piles in the area by following the link with this story at KTLO.com.
Anglers can access coordinate locations for brush piles in the area by following this link AGFC COORDINATES FOR DEBRIS PILES
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI