Trees become fishy condos

Lake department sinks trees for protection

In a fish-eat-fish world, small bluegill and crappie often become a meal of larger predators.

To help fish have a better chance of survival, Marion County Park and Lake Department employees have been dropping trees to the bottom of the lake.

The brush works as an artificial habitat for smaller fish, giving them some protection from predators, department head Isaac Hett said.

The department plans to add more evergreens to the underwater habitat, and artificial ones made from PVC pipe.

It will take a couple years for algae to start growing, which is when the trees will see more use from fish.