Angler volunteer, Russ Avery, securing a sweet gum tree to the bank with a steel cable so it doesn’t float away.

By: Jim Hakala, Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Biologist

A group of angler volunteers, under the direction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and US Army Corps of Engineers, were working hard this past Saturday to enhance fishing opportunities on Lake Allatoona. The group toppled and secured 136 shoreline trees that will provide underwater fish habitat for a number of game fish such as spotted and largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish.

Since 2008, the shoreline tree cutting program has toppled more than 1,000 trees along the shores of this aging reservoir. The trees are all carefully selected and approved for cutting by the Corps of Engineers, and have exposed root structures that eventually break away from the bank over time.  By cutting them before they topple into the lake, the stump and rootwad left on the bank stabilizes the soil and prevents sediment from ending up in the reservoir.

This is just the latest of many projects of the fish habitat program, and continues to be well received by Allatoona anglers.

Remember to have a fishing license before taking advantage of the fishing opportunities at Lake Allatoona and other reservoirs, rivers and public fishing areas across the state.  CLICK HERE to purchase your fishing license today!