Kentucky fish enthusiasts might find a late Christmas gift submerged in a waterway next spring. That gift could be the result of a tree collection program underway across the Commonwealth.
Cut cedar, pine, and spruce trees dropped in Kentucky lakes can make for just the right catch. Corbin Assistant Public Works Director Roger Shelton says natural Christmas trees, free of lights and ornaments are now being collected. The trees will be set aside to dry and drop their needles and then dropped in the water.
"It works as drawing in minnows as a protectant I guess against from the bigger fish, but actually it congregates the minnows," says Shelton. He says when that happens, the larger fish come in to feed on the minnows. Shelton says the submerged trees can created good spots to catch crappie and bluegills.
Shelton says fish enthusiasts can contact the forestry service to find out where the trees were dropped. "I've caught a few crappie on them, but I catch more bass on them than bluegill than I do crappie. Laurel's not that good of a crappie lake," explained Shelton.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is accepting natural Christmas tree donations at more than 30 drop-off locations through mid-January.
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