Conservation News

Norfork Lake artificial habitat project

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The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries Division recently completed a fish habitat project using artificial fish structures to improve fishing in Norfork Lake.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries Division recently completed a fish habitat project using artificial fish structures to improve fishing in Norfork Lake.
Norfork Lake is a 22,000 acre highland reservoir located in north-central Arkansas and south-central Missouri. Before impoundment in 1944, all the natural habitat was cleared from Norfork Lake. Since the mid 1980’s, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has placed over 170 natural fish structures throughout Norfork Lake in an effort to improve angler success.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Norfork Lake is a 22,000 acre highland reservoir located in north-central Arkansas and south-central Missouri. Before impoundment in 1944, all the natural habitat was cleared from Norfork Lake. Since the mid 1980’s, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has placed over 170 natural fish structures throughout Norfork Lake in an effort to improve angler success.
With approval from the US Army Corp of Engineers, biologists began placing artificial fish structures in 2014 at 15 locations throughout Norfork Lake. Each site received 10 artificial structures. The biologists were interested in determining whether artificial structures could be an effective alternative to natural fish structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - With approval from the US Army Corp of Engineers, biologists began placing artificial fish structures in 2014 at 15 locations throughout Norfork Lake. Each site received 10 artificial structures. The biologists were interested in determining whether artificial structures could be an effective alternative to natural fish structures.
Three different styles of artificial structures were used during this project. The biggest structures were called mega reefs. Fourteen sites received one or two of these reefs. These structures are 10 feet tall. They provide excellent vertical height and shade to attract sportfish. The picture on the right shows what these structures look like on down imaging.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Three different styles of artificial structures were used during this project. The biggest structures were called mega reefs. Fourteen sites received one or two of these reefs. These structures are 10 feet tall. They provide excellent vertical height and shade to attract sportfish. The picture on the right shows what these structures look like on down imaging.
Another style of structure used was called four-prong structure. These structures were 10 feet tall and provide vertical height with limited shade. Each site received three of these structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Another style of structure used was called four-prong structure. These structures were 10 feet tall and provide vertical height with limited shade. Each site received three of these structures.
The final style of structure used was called the three-prong structure. These structures were 5 feet tall. These structures provided shade with minimal vertical height. Each site received at least 5 of these structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - The final style of structure used was called the three-prong structure. These structures were 5 feet tall. These structures provided shade with minimal vertical height. Each site received at least 5 of these structures.
Each structure was marked with buoys before being sunk. This allowed coordinates to be collected on each structure. These coordinates will be available to the public, this fall, on the AGFC GIS Mapper.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Each structure was marked with buoys before being sunk. This allowed coordinates to be collected on each structure. These coordinates will be available to the public, this fall, on the AGFC GIS Mapper.
With coordinates in hand, these structures can easily be located with side imaging.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - With coordinates in hand, these structures can easily be located with side imaging.
These structures were selected due to their rough texture. The rough texture helps to promote algae and periphyton growth on the structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - These structures were selected due to their rough texture. The rough texture helps to promote algae and periphyton growth on the structures.
The algae and periphyton along with the shade attracts prey species to the artificial structures. The top picture shows thousands of young bluegill in the shade. The present of young bluegill attracts young bass to these structures as shown in the bottom picture.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - The algae and periphyton along with the shade attracts prey species to the artificial structures. The top picture shows thousands of young bluegill in the shade. The present of young bluegill attracts young bass to these structures as shown in the bottom picture.
With the shade, vertical height, and presence of food, larger bass have been observed hanging out around these structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - With the shade, vertical height, and presence of food, larger bass have been observed hanging out around these structures.
Biologist will continue to monitor the use of the artificial fish structures by sportfish and anglers in Norfork Lake to determine if they are a viable alternative to natural fish structures.
Photo: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - Biologist will continue to monitor the use of the artificial fish structures by sportfish and anglers in Norfork Lake to determine if they are a viable alternative to natural fish structures.

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