Installation and Evaluation of Fish Habitat Structures in Bull Shoals Lake, Missouri

The Missouri Department of Conservation, Bass Pro Shops, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are currently collaborating on a project to increase fish habitat structures in the Missouri portions of Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes.  These Ozark reservoirs lack natural structure and require the addition of fish habitat structures for the purpose of attracting sportfish for anglers.  Fish habitat structures consist of brush piles constructed from the abundance of large Eastern Redcedar trees bordering the shoreline of both reservoirs.  Contracted labor is used to cut and anchor trees while management staff place structures in predefined locations throughout the lake.  The project will consist of placing approximately 115 structures in several size, design, and location combinations.  These combinations will be evaluated using SCUBA and sonar imaging to define information needs related to fish use and longevity of the structures.  Completion of this project will provide anglers with additional angling opportunities and managers with additional information related to fish use and longevity of fish habitat structures installed in Ozark reservoirs.