Thread: question on crappie beds

Although that is a very good-looking fish attractor and would most likely provide great habitat for fish, local conservation oriented groups (MDC, USACE, Etc.) that manage lakes work hard to maintain proper fish habitat while providing a safe and navigable waterway. Therefore, many managers wish to keep people from placing their own structures in the water as a means to make habitat. I am sure the local managers would be receptive to making structures in an organized manner; as has recently been conducted at Smithville Lake. At Smithville, groups of volunteers work with managers to create habitat (rocks and trees) and record the coordinates for publication. Therefore, all anglers are given a fair chance to fish each structure and boaters can safely be aware of their underwater surroundings. This cooperation has shown a noticeable improvement in the fishery and fishing. Don’t forget, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

The penalty of such a placement may include littering (RSMo577.070) for one, which is defined as:

A person commits the crime of littering if (s)he:
(1)Throws or places, or causes to be thrown or placed
(2)any glass, glass bottles, wire, nails, tacks, hedge, cans, garbage, trash, refuse, or rubbish of any kind, nature, or description
(3)on the right of way of any public road or State highway or on or in any of the waters in this state or on the banks of any stream, or on any land or water owned, operated, or leased by the State, any board, department, agency, or commission thereof or on any land or water owned, operated, or leased by the federal government or on any private real property owned by another without consent.


Contact your local Agent to check for opportunities to volunteer on lake projects. We appreciate very much the community involvement in conservation throughout the state!

-Dan Schepis
Conservation Agent
Clay County, MO
10Jan13 @ 1630