The state wildlife conservation agency undertook a project last month to improve the fish habitat at Whites Creek Lake in Eupora.
“Operation Tree Drop” took place at the 280-acre lake on May 25, when the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks sank cedar trees throughout the lake to establish fish cover.
“Our lake doesn’t have a lot of structure habitat in it,” said Ward 2 Alderman Howard Rumore. ”This was an effort to try to enhance that for better breeding and healthy fish populations.”
Eupora enrolled in MDWFP’s Community Fishing Assistance Program two years ago for joint management of the city-owned lake. Promoting a better fish habitat was among the agency’s recommendations as part of taking care of the local resource.
MDWFP established the program in an effort to provide quality fishing experiences in small water bodies in Mississippi that are owned by counties, cities and private groups. Its goal is to enhance the management and development of lakes and ponds in urban settings so that local residents, especially youth, will be able to experience the joys of fishing close to home. Currently, 20 water bodies totaling 411 acres in 18 locations are enrolled in CFAP.
Rumore, who worked with MDWFP personnel on the project, said 24 individual habitats were placed throughout the lake. He said county supervisors helped out by collecting most of the 50-60 cedar trees used, which were anchored in position with cinder blocks.
Fisheries biologists tried to put the trees in deep water so they won’t interfere with pleasure boaters, according to Rumore, while some were placed within casting distance of the bank so bank fishermen could take advantage of the fish-attracting structures.
