Lakes Benefit from Habitat ProjectsBy Chris Smith
Other projects recently completed at Assunpink Lake, Stone Tavern Lake, and Mercer Lake (2006) were highlighted in the feature article, "Local Lakes Get Home Makeover." Descriptions of the most recent projects are as follows: LAKE LENAPE A lake habitat enhancement project was completed at Lake Lenape, Atlantic County on February 22, 2008. A total of thirteen individuals comprised of Atlantic County Parks staff, members of the Cedarwater Bassmasters and Bucketmouth Brigade Bass Club, and a volunteer from the local rowing association completed the project on a cold winter day. Park staff and the rowing association provided boats to deploy the habitat structures. Structures were placed in eight locations in the deeper section of the lake near the dam, which had the least amount of cover. A total of 300 discarded evergreen trees were dispersed at the six locations.
UNION LAKE
Tom Ritterhoff, a Boy Scout from Cape May Court House, NJ,
was instrumental in the Union Lake project. The structures were
deployed by fisheries biologists from the Bureau
of Freshwater Fisheries. Tom obtained all materials and
built the structures with the assistance of members from Troop
65. A total of 25 structures were deployed at two existing habitat
structure locations in Union Lake. The structures were constructed
from PVC pipe and plastic buckets and were placed in 10 - 12
feet of water. Warmwater fish species including largemouth and
smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and chain pickerel
will greatly benefit from this project.
HAMMONTON LAKE
A lake habitat enhancement project was completed at Hammonton Lake,
Atlantic County on May 13, 2008. Structures were placed in three locations
in the deeper section of the lake. A total of 35 discarded evergreen
trees were dispersed at the three locations. Phase two of this project,
consisting of 30 additional structures constructed by a local fishing
organization, will be completed during the fall of 2008.
PENBRYN LAKE
A fisheries management plan was completed in 2005 for Penbryn Lake,
and recommendations were made to deploy artificial habitat structures
to improve the largemouth bass and black crappie fisheries. The Penbryn
Lake project was completed through a partnership with Patrick Fuzer,
an Eagle Scout from Mount Laurel. The project was completed
on April 12, 2007. Eight scouts and three parents assisted with the
project. The scouts provided all materials including evergreen trees,
concrete block and rope. More than 190 trees were deployed in the
lake. Locations were predetermined utilizing a bathymetric map, GPS,
and depth finder. Structures were placed in 10 to 25 feet of water.
The staff of the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries is continually working to improve fishing opportunities throughout the state of New Jersey and welcomes the input of independent anglers and of organized clubs.
OTHER ARTICLES by CHRIS SMITH
Local Lakes Get Home Makeover - 4/06
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