Thread: FFA and Corp. of Engineers Crappie Condo Project

My students poured another 20 crappie condos this morning. That brings us to 40 condos, with 20 more to go. We should get them poured Wednesday or Thursday.

The day at the lake to drop the condos got postponed. We'll be going to Degray on Wednesday the 25th. As soon as I get waypoints I'll let everyone know.

Wednesday, the 25th, I went to Degray Lake with eight of my students to meet with the Corp. of Engineers. Our high school principal made the trip, and he brought his boat too. We met the two Corp. Biologists at the Alpine Ridge boat ramp at 9:15, and they brought their pontoon boat. It's perfect for this kind of project! It's a very big barge with only the steering console and one storage locker on the back. The rest of the barge is just one wide open flat deck.

The students would load 9-12 bamboo crappie condos onto the barge, and then we would head out for the drop points. One of my students operated the GPS unit from the principal's boat, and another took pictures from it. They would locate the drop points with the GPS and mark them with a bouy marker. Then, one of the Corp. guys would steer the barge into position and the other students would push crappie condos off of the front, and each side of the barge. Three condos should make a nice big triangle for the fish.

It didn't take us long to place 55 crappie condos in the lake! The students had a great time with the project. Our principal really enjoyed getting to help out, and getting to watch the students work. The Corp. guys are great with the students and really appreciated the work the students put in on the project.

I wish I could include some pictures, but with school rules and all, I'm not allowed.

By the way, some of the condos were dropped in some of the same locations we used two years ago. Back then, the Corp. would only put one crappie condo to a location. This way there is more habitat in each spot. We have placed almost 250 crappie condos into Degray lake, since the spring of 2009.

Long story short, I now have an updated file of waypoints for Degray Lake. PM me if you would like a copy.

Great job guy! Thanks!!

I just got a new Hummingbird 597ci HD DI and would appreciate any crappie habitat coord.'s on any Arkansas body of water. At one time or another I'll fish them all. I live in Little Rock. I can probably handle the data in any format but a
spreadsheet is fine. I can manually enter. Thanks.

[email protected]

I also have got a new graph and would like to have some gps for greeson if possible [email protected]

Sorry guys, been out of pocket for awhile, and away from my school computer. I think I have now sent them to everyone who has asked. If you have asked for them and you haven't received an e-mail, send me a PM.

Also, has anyone fished these spots lately?

Hey Agrihawg,
How does the C.O.E. transport the condos to the lake? Do they tie them up somehow? I live less than a half mile from the lake here on Nimrod and I hit every sign between here and the lake! Also, is there a map available for Quachita that shows the locations of the condos like an overall view?

Thanks