MDC works to attract fish, anglers

By NOREEN HYSLOP

Managing Editor

The Missouri Department of Conservation has been busy in recent days with a project on Cypress Lake at the Otter Slough Conservation Area southwest of Dexter.

According to Fisheries Management Biologist Mike Reed, the staff at the slough, along with MDC officials from the Cape Girardeau Regional office, have been building fish attractors using oak trees.

"These will last many, many years," Reed said, "and will serve to concentrate on what we call cover-loving fish such as crappie and sunfish. The project will make them easier for anglers to find."

A large fish attractor has been built adjacent to the ADA accessible fishing dock at Otter Slough, and others have been put in place throughout the lake.

"The attractors have been placed so that both bank anglers and boat anglers can reach them," Reed explained.

It has been about five years since the MDC has built and put fish attractors in place in Cypress Lake.

For any questions regarding the attractor's placement, Reed may be contacted at the Cape Girardeau MDC office at 573-290-5730.