Brush piles add habitat to two Bridgeport SRA lakes
Brush piles were sunk in September at two Bridgeport State Recreation Area lakes to increase woody habitat.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission used its new Aquatic Habitat Barge to carry and place cut trees. Approximately 60 cedar and Russian olive trees were sunk at five locations in the southeast lake, and approximately 90 trees were sunk at 11 locations in the middle lake.
The trees were removed from the shoreline, which also increased bank access in overgrown areas.
The brush piles benefit anglers and fish. By enhancing the habitat, the health and population of the fish increase, making for better, more successful fishing opportunities.
The piles offer fish, especially smaller ones, shelter from predators. They also attract plankton and algae, which in turn attract small fish. This creates a chain reaction, supporting the entire aquatic food web.
To see the approximate locations of these brush piles at Bridgeport, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-