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Discarded Christmas Trees Will Enhance Sutton Lake Fishery RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 23, 2004) — Instead of trashing that Christmas tree once the holidays have come and gone, why not give it a second life as a refuge for fish and a honey hole for anglers? On Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a fisheries biologist from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will be at the Sutton Lake boating access area in New Hanover County to collect discarded Christmas trees. In late January, staff from the Wildlife Commission and Progress Energy will group the discarded trees and sink them near the fishing pier and other locations throughout Sutton Lake. The trees will serve as habitat to a variety of fish species, attracting fish and anglers almost immediately. “Fish hide in the branches to seek shade from the sun, escape predators and feed on aquatic insects that attach themselves to the sunken trees,” said Bob Barwick, fisheries biologist with the Wildlife Commission. “Without these structures to congregate fish, the fish likely would disperse throughout the lake and make the fishing more difficult. By sinking trees into Sutton Lake, we’re providing fish with areas to congregate, which should improve anglers’ success.” While natural structure, such as stumps and standing timber, is found in most lakes, it eventually decomposes and needs to be supplemented. From 1989 to 1994, the Wildlife Commission conducted similar habitat-enhancement efforts in Sutton Lake using discarded Christmas trees. To date, approximately 2,000 trees have been weighted and sunk, many within casting distance of the fishing pier. The access area, located at the end of Sutton Lake Road, is approximately 5 miles north of Wilmington off U.S. 421. While the drop-off site for Christmas trees will be staffed for one day only, it will be open to the public through Jan. 2. Signs will be posted to direct the public to the drop-off site. Before dropping off trees, please remove all trimmings, such as tinsel, hooks, artificial ornaments and garlands. For more information
on fishing in North Carolina’s inland public
waters, visit the Fishing section or call (919) 733-3633. |