Lake project ideas.....

[bassboy1]

Alright, although I haven't been active on here in a number of months, it has solely been because I have been real busy, for a number of reasons, and haven't had the time for this.

However, as some of y'all may know, and most probably don't, I am 15, and currently a Life Scout, with my Eagle Scout project being one of the last large scale hurdles between me and the rank of Eagle scout.

I would like to do a project for the lake, and that is where I am in need of a few suggestions. I live near Lake Allatoona, which is a Corps of Engineers reservoir in the Georgia foothills. The lake, like many Corps lakes, was bulldozed clean before being flooded, so there have been many recent projects to help the largemouth population (we have no problem with spotted bass here - especially ones that run 11 7/8s inches ;D) I would hopefully like to have my project help the largemouth. I have talked to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) fisheries biologist of the Wild Life Research Department, and he has also talked to a Forester/Park Ranger of the COE (Corps. of Engineers). So far, he has informed me of a couple projects in the past. One of which, done as an Eagle project 4 years ago, was spawning benches, with brushpiles around them, in the back of a couple creeks. Great idea, but it has to be original, I can't copy another project. He also suggested making a pavillion or something at one of the largest ramps, so tourneys wouldn't have to use a truck tailgate as a weigh table, and could be semi sheltered while weighing in.

Right now, I am hoping to see what other suggestions come up. What sort of artificial structure (aside from brushpiles - not exactly an original idea, at least on this lake), do y'all either have on your lakes, or would y'all really like to see on your lakes, that would help the population of largemouth? The thought has occurred to me to create an artificial plot of standing timber or something of that nature. Just looking for a few more ideas to sift through.

As far as access to the lake bottom, the lake is drawn down 17 feet each winter, so I should have plenty of access up until Feb. or so.  Ideally, were I doing a lake bottom project, I could do it during winter holiday, when school is out, and folks won't have to worry about studying and such.  

Thanks,

bassboy1.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

It's good to see a young scout getting involved as it sounds you are.  I am an eagle scout and did my project at my local lake as well.  I helped with a section of walking trail that provides fishable access to an unaccessable area of the lake.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Excellent project.

Might I suggest you PM Triton Mike.  He's guides on Allatoona I think and will have some input of what may be needed.

 

[Matt Fly]

I was going to suggest a native grass project, but with fluctauting levels, that seems to be a futile battle for native lake vegitation.

The only way to provide better bassin is to provide cover for bait fish and fry to survive.     That means providing habitat.

   I know you would like original ideas, but maybe figuring out how to recycle something and use them in creating these habitats.

Some core lakes allow tire reefs to be built for example.  

I love the Pavilon idea as well.

Good luck and thanks for caring.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Old picnic tables and such provide great cover

[bassboy1]

Might I suggest you PM Triton Mike. He's guides on Allatoona I think and will have some input of what may be needed.

I have actually talked with him in person, last Saturday, at the same time I talked to the DNR guy. ;D

In February, I put a thread somewhat similar to this on Mikes site (he has a forum just for Allatoona), and I wasn't quite able to get the information I really needed.  

The grass idea is what I took to my scoutmaster back in the spring.  Last fall, that idea was experimented with, and a number of people assisted in planting grass on the lake bottom, when the water was down, with the idea that it would be 3 feet tall by the time the water came up, and it could be fished in the spring and early summer.  I haven't heard much of this, so I am not sure how well it turned out.  

My scoutmaster wasn't extremely crazy about that idea, because, as he put it, raising money, and planting grass on the lake bottom wouldn't be much of a challenge for someone like me.  The planning and executing that wouldn't be so much of a challenge for me.  

Right now, the main cover in the lake consists of brushpiles in deepwater, laydowns on the shoreline (LOTS), and a combination of rocky and silty shoreline/lakebottom.  I am hoping to add a bit more variety, or at the very least, something that would have the same benefit as the spawning platform, by helping them grow/reproduce.  

Keep the ideas coming.

Thanks,

bassboy1

[Sam]

There are books and pond management DVDs at Bass Pro Shops.

Maybe you can get the DVD; the book; or go online for suggestions.

Good luck.  

[bmadd]

Check out the Pond Boss website. They have a forum dedicated to pond and lake management with a section specifically for cover and structure. A lot of good information there that you can look through. Awesome project man. Somebody will be able to help you with this.

[DADto4]

I love the Pavilon idea as well.

This is a great idea, you could also add ammenities such as tables outdoor grills,lighting and such for other non fishing gatherings (this might help you "sell it" to folks willing to donate $$$$$)

-John

[Catt]

If I remember correctly we have a Master Pond Builder around here somewhere  

[Triton_Mike]

Dawson,  HOw about we take a post hold digger into some of the backs of the creeks and put some "standing Timber" in place?  

It looks like your looking for something "cheap" but effective.  YOu can get access to some good areas off Hwy 20 area.  Ie Clear Creek, Stamp, McCaskey, Boston etc etc.  

Just off the top of my head based on your post

Mike

[bassboy1]

Yes, I was talking with Mr. Terrell, and mentioned the idea of the standing timber. He told me that due to Corps. restrictions, we would have to mark EVERY one one of the posts, trees etc, whatever is used, with the orange reflective tape that they put on reef markers and all. I knew it would need to be marked, but I thought a few of the PVC reef marker poles, possibly with a sign attached like on the fish attractors by the Kellogg ramp, placed around the perimeter of the area would be enough. Not really a problem to mark them all, just a bit more planning/labor involved. Terrell told me that the Corps. does not work with anything artificial that would come within 5 feet of the surface at winter pool, or it would have to be marked very well. Apparently they had a few problems with that when Jim and the DNR was putting out the PVC attractors. The other thing he told me, was to regard the placement of them, not just as far as fisherman are concerned, but also for pleasure boaters. Were I to put it in a common raft up cove, I might face the threat of it being destroyed by someone annoyed that I invaded on "their" spot.

Seeing as you can look at what would benefit the lake from a different veiwpoint as Jim, I would like to ask how you think a fairly large plot (anything worth doing is worth overdoing) of standing timber would benefit this lake. I honestly couldn't even speculate how it would affect one way or another, on a lake that is drawn down each year.

I figured once I got a good idea of how this would affect the lake, I could put a thread on your site, and possibly the DSM site, and see what the local guys think of the idea.

Thanks a bunch,

bassboy1.

[Omaha]

Check out the Pond Boss website. They have a forum dedicated to pond and lake management with a section specifically for cover and structure. A lot of good information there that you can look through. Awesome project man. Somebody will be able to help you with this.

^What he said.  I've been a member for maybe a couple weeks now and the information is priceless at Pondbass.