Man made cover/attractors on public lakes

[UpNorthWolf]

Hello all (please excuse the cross post in habitat),

From the Bill Dance Fish Attractor to the everyman rocks and branches in plastic milk jugs, how many of you are into putting these in your area lakes to help in creating more habitat? I wouldn't mind putting in the effort if....

1. They work.

2. The DNR doesn't view it as littering.

3. People get all territorial about the spots (myself included).

So, what think you all?

Rick

[UpNorthWolf]

Disregard.

Someone on another board just told me it was illegal without DNR approval.

Rick

[OUTLAW]

It is only illegal if you put it is a navigational hazard.

[bshaner]

I couldnt say if these are illegal in michigan but I have heard on a couple of other boards that it's becoming very common in other states.  I've heard that some pros will do it months before tournaments.

B

[motocross269]

I can't believe the DNR wouldn't want to monitor placing stuff in public lakes...If not you could have everyone and their brother dumping stuff in the lakes....And what is approved fish structure??? I have a nice old Buick that would call up some toads.
I just think it could get dangerous for people that use the lakes for recreation.
I am not trying to be a smart a## and I don't know what the law is, but I could definetly see how that could get out of hand.

[MBell]

I contacted the dnr a few years ago and didn't get an answer.  They said to call the field office for the body of water you will be planting in.  I never got around to calling them.  I would assume that if their was a straight forward law on this lansing would have given me an answer. 
-Matt

[fiker]

I also don't know if it's leagle but....
I have seen guys with Christmas trees tied to cinder blocks heading up the chain to create their own structure.
Chirstmas trees are supposed to work really well from what I'm told. 

I don't know from personal experience though.

[OUTLAW]

xmas trees are ok but the best thing i have found is PVC and a bag of ready mix.

[Durand Dan]

Well, you could look at it this way. It's illegal to leave an ice shanty on the lake, to drive a car or truck in the lake or to put in a seawall without a permit. I would have to say that adding anything to our waters would be frownded upon. One you allow a christmas tree anchored with who knows what (steel, Concrete, lead), where do you draw the line? I seached the DNR site for some guidance but was unsuccessful. I remember reading something on the legallity of this in the last few years.

[BASS FISHERMAN]

xmas trees are ok but the best thing i have found is PVC and a bag of ready mix.

jason i was wondurin ifin you mix this ceement up befour puttin it in the watur or yous juss flop the whole bag in with the pvc pipes stickin out of it 
you fine the white pvc or the yelow color wurks bess 
maybee yous paints hur up black furst befour ploppin it in 
juss wondurin 

RANGERS BOAT RULE 

[Flippin222]

The practice is very common in other states.  Best time to collect "brush" is in the late winter (1) wood is not dried out, easier to sink and keep in place and (2) easy to get to - fell during winter.  If possible use hardwood, seems to attract better fish - pines will work also my preference is hardwood.  Also, from what we found at my previous state of residence (Missouri), even with the best planning only 2 out of 10 brush piles planted will be productive - may be a little better here with the lack of wood in the water.

my 2 cents.

Jason

[djkimmel]

Just contact the local MDNR Fisheries biologist for the area you are considering. It used to be that you just couldn't plan cover that would impede boating or be considered pollution.

I think it is more a policy thing now, maybe since more anglers are asking about it now? Some local biologists are more open to it than others. I've heard of one who consistently is against it. I will research regulations on this at some point, but it may be a while before I get to it.

You have to consider that weeds rule on the weedy lakes and the MDNR will be less likely to 'approve' your request on a lake with lots of cover. The results of the work will be less productive too on a lake with lots of cover already, but there are lakes that could use some more cover. That's the approach you would want to take when requesting permission to do it.

I do agree that you should get to know and work with your local fish biologists when possible. Many good possible returns from that.

[Jay-MadWags]

Anglers of southern resivoirs like Percy Priest in Nashville TN, make their own structure using brush, logs, PVC etc. because they have to.  Some southern resivoirs are not capable of growing hydrilla, lilly pads or other vegitation that bass may use as cover to ambush prey.

Now if you live in Michigan, you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by "natural lakes". So you shouldn't have to dump man made structure in some of the most prestine waters in this country.   Save those fish attractors for the boys down south.