Over the years, local officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have made the improvement of fish habitat on the lakes one of their high priorities, and they are receiving assistance in their efforts. A $275,000 grant from the National Fish Habitat Partnership will give aquatic habitat projects on Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes a boost in the next two years.
Game and Fish Mountain Home office regional fisheries supervisor Jeremy Risley says the money was courtesy of proceeds from last year’s Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open Amateur Bass Fishing Championships.
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A total of nearly $1.6 million was raised through the tournaments to fund nine projects. The projects are considered high-priority areas of the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership.
When Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes were created, all the vegetation was removed. As a result, there was little or no fish habitat remaining in the Twin Lakes. Risley says Game and Fish has been attempting to re-establish fish habitat, and the grant will provide needed assistance.
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Risley says improving the habitat for fish in the lakes is not only crucial to the species, but it’s also a benefit for anglers.
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For more information on the National Fish Habitat Partnership, visit fishhabitat.org.
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