Staff from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission deployed submerged tree clusters at a pair of Bridgeport State Recreation Area lakes last September. They operated a recently acquired Aquatic Habitat Barge to move and drop the cut timber.

Approximately 60 cedar and Russian olive specimens occupied five spots in the southeast lake while about 90 occupied 11 spots in the middle lake. Shoreline removal of the trees also improved access along previously overgrown banks. These clusters protect smaller fish from predators and attract plankton plus algae that lure baitfish, lifting overall fish numbers so anglers enjoy more success; maps showing the spots sit at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/contour-maps/ under Habitat/Structure Maps.