fish structure

[JJZFlash]

anybody sink christmas trees for structure? looking for ideas.  JJZFlash

[captain54]

Yes they work great for several years,cement block to each tree.Made structure out of some heavy duty oak pallets that worked great also,either 4 into a block or 3 into a pyramid.

[westlakeangler]

thats it just tie a cement block to the trunk and what it will lay flat or standing up ur saying throw three down in a triangle

[GCD]

Christmas tree work real well! I like to trim off all the small branches and just leave the larger branches that grow out directly from the trunk, you'll snag less and the fish can get inside the tree better... and you won't have a zillion pine needles everywhere.

I use either a 12" "halfblock" or a 1 gallon plastic milk jug with the top cut off just below the handle, put the tree in the block or or jug and fill with mixed up sacrete for about a week (don't let the concrete freeze before it sets up) then drop them in the lake 2 or 3 to a spot.

This is just the way I do it, and it works for me.

[1lurker]

For a more permanent type of structure I made 11' tall PVC trees with a 4" trunk and crosses reducing to 3/4" for all my branches. The bottom had a cross that reduced to 3/4" and I made a 3' box around the base with 3/4" tees looking up with 4' risers. all branches are horizontal or angled upward for less snags. I capped all the top branches to hold air and filled the base with concrete till it oozed out the risers. I sunk out of my boat with a loose rope attached to set upright at 2am to keep it my secrete and saved the coordinates on my GPS. It's at 21' at the bottom of a break. If you don't know what it is it looks just like a tree growing on bottom on side image sonar. It's my personal hot spot on the ice and is always loaded with fish top to bottom. The down side is every tree I build costs about $100 but will last longer than any real tree. Sorry if I offend anyone by putting these out, but it makes for great fishing to anyone who finds them. If I meet you on the ice I have told people where they're at.

[JJZFlash]

how do you find out if its legal to do? I dont need to go to jail just for fish lol.     JJZFlash

[MattR]

how do you find out if its legal to do? I dont need to go to jail just for fish lol.     JJZFlash

I have seen both the DNR doing this and also some local sportsman clubs. I would guess either one can give you that answer for your local area.

Matt

[1lurker]

As far as the PVC trees go my nieghbor is a conservation officer and in Indiana it's legal as long nothing toxic is put in the water and it's not just litter. He said to check with your local DNR to get the answeres. He really liked my trees, and is for me putting out more permanent structure.

[GCD]

Some states have habitat enrichment programs that encourage the making and dropping of structure.

Other states don't want you to do it... and some states have limitations on what and where you can drop it. Some states what to know what and where your dropping.

The biggest problem with people making and dropping structure is navigations hazards. Be responsible when you make and drop your structure, make sure you have enough weight to hold the structure in place (overkill is a good thing here), you don't want to spend the time and money on your structure only to have it wash away. Take lake levels into consideration, some lake levels are dropped in winter to make room for winter and spring rains and snow melts.

A good rule of thumb is to have 8' of water above the top of your structure at the lakes lowest level to ensure not being a navigation or swimming hazard.

[JJZFlash]

talked to c. o. today. he called someone found out you need a permit. as they want something permanent instead of christmas trees. thanks for the help.   JJZFlash

[Walltrout]

Here's an idea.  They do this every year on our local lake. Quite a site to see.








http://www.walleyesforever.com/info/canyonferry2008/cf4-11-08.html