Christmas Trees Help Lake Shelbyville"It sure smells like Christmas," said Fish Habitat Improvement Project volunteer Ken Wilson.
But this is a different tradition.
"We did find one ornament that somebody forgot so we got your ornament. Whosever it is,” Wilson said.
More than 400 former decorations are now the shelter of Lake Shelbyville.
“As lakes age they start losing their cover. And that results in less places for the fish to find what we call habitat," said Fish Biologist Mike Mounce.
But just like the fish this habitat will not live forever.
“They only last about five years,” said Mounce, in reference to the Christmas trees after they are submerged under the water.
Every year the community bundles together in hopes of replenishing the lake.
“Look forward to it every year. Really enjoy it,” said volunteer Wilbur Miller.
"It's particularly important for adult fish they need what we call ambush points," said Mounce.
That way the fish can catch their prey. Unfortunately for them they are not the only ones doing the ambushing.
“It's nice to know where they put all the Christmas trees and they'll give you a map at the end of the day," said Wilson.
“I would say it probably has about a 20 percent difference in the increase in amount of fish I catch,” said Miller.
You may remember poorer fishing conditions this summer, primarily because of the drought, the heat and low lake levels.
The fisherman at Lake Shelbyville said with today say they're hoping for a better catch this coming season, and, as always, they think the Christmas trees will help.
The event has been happening for the last 32 years. This year was the largest turnout ever with more than 150 volunteers and the Lake Shelbyville U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Story by NewsChannel20. |
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