Better habitat should translate into better fishing opportunities at Lake Granbury, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Proctor Lake.
A collaboration between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Brazos River Authority and other supporters and volunteers have added artificial structures made of recycled plastics and natural structures made of recycled bamboo and Christmas trees to enhance fishing opportunities.
While fishing has long been a popular activity at all three lakes, environmental conditions such as golden algae, drought and the natural reservoir aging process can affect fish populations.
On Lake Granbury, 100 fish habitat structures were placed at various locations in early October, including 70 “crappie condos” or plastic buckets of concrete with bamboo placed in them. The other 30 structures deployed in Lake Granbury are called Mossback Safe Havens. The fish habitat structures were placed around the Rough Creek fishing pier, adjacent to the 144 bridge and around the City of Granbury fishing pier off of Business 377.
At Possum Kingdom, artificial reefs were built at the following locations: Rocky Hollow, located off a hump in 10 to 18 feet of water when the lake is full; Bee Creek, located in a ridge in 10 to 20 feet of water when the lake is full; and Peanut Patch, following a 12 to 15 foot contour when the lake is full.
Proctor Lake has suffered from drought-flood cycles, loss of vegetation and age. Officials and volunteers worked to create recycled Christmas tree brush piles and eight reef-like areas. About 130 artificial structures and 19 brush piles were placed in strategic locations.
Anglers can find more information about these habitat projects as well as others that have taken place in reservoirs across the state at www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishattractor. More information about volunteer efforts through the Friends of Reservoirs is available online atwww.waterhabitatlife.org.
