HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers are joining forces to improve fisheries on Arkansas’ largest lake, officials said.
Officials say dozens of new fish luring spots are in use. Lake Ouachita. They said the December project would require 35 people and five barges to complete.
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The team worked to remove invasive cedars from the shoreline to create habitat, carefully placing them so as not to interfere with lake navigation.
“When the lake is 8 feet low, we’re targeting a water level of about 15 feet,” explained Andy Yung, AGFC fisheries supervisor for the Hot Springs area. “That means most of these shrubs will be within 20 to 25 feet most of the year.”
Cedars are used because they have a complex network of branches that provide excellent habitat for fish, officials said, adding that unlike recycled Christmas trees, cedars can be preserved for years.
“One of our staff members who dives in Ouachita calls these bushes ‘gold mines,'” Yung said. “Walleyes, perch, crappie, bluegills and catfish use them all year round. You’ll even see the occasional striper hanging around the fish in the channel.”
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During the winter, 35 crews from AGFC and the Army Corps of Engineers worked together to create 77 new fish-attracting spots on Lake Ouachita. AGFC Photo by Mike Wintroath. (Courtesy of AGFC)
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With permission from the Marine Corps, up to five habitat barges will be operating around the clock for two weeks to add habitat to Lake Ouachita. AGFC Photo by Mike Wintroath. (Courtesy of AGFC)
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With permission from the Corps, large cedar trees were removed, increasing habitat in the water and removing these invasive trees from the shoreline. AGFC Photo by Mike Wintroath. (Courtesy of AGFC)
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Seven to eight large cedar trees were placed at each fish trap, creating long-lasting fishing opportunities. AGFC Photo by Mike Wintroath. (Courtesy of AGFC)
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All fish attractor locations are available through AGFC’s interactive map at www.agfc.com/maps. (Courtesy of AGFC)
Officials said nearly all of the new sites are between Island Markers 28 and 36, particularly at major lake points and saddles near the mid-lake islands.
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GPS coordinates for all placed fish attractors can be found on AGFC’s interactive map: AGFC.com/map. Officials are also encouraging anglers to download coordinates directly into their fish finders by visiting AGFC.com/FishAttractors. There are seventy-six lakes and thousands of fishing spots.
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