Missouri volunteers place 93 cedar brush piles in Truman Lake; $75,000 grant backs 450 structures

Representative Image (AI-generated) Truman Lake in Missouri is getting a major boost to its underwater habitat through a project designed to create more places for fish to shelter, feed and gather. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Annual Review for Fiscal Year 2025, MDC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working with private-sector volunteers, placed 93 cedar brush piles in the lake during spring 2025. The work forms the first phase of a larger effort to install 450 fish habitat structures across the reservoir. Supported by a $75,000 grant, the project is intended to improve aquatic habitat and, ultimately, fishing opportunities for anglers.Why cedar trees are being placed underwaterThe brush piles are designed to provide fish with physical structure in parts of the reservoir where natural cover may be limited. Underwater trees and branches can create sheltered areas where fish can rest, avoid predators and find food. According to MDC, the hard cover such as logs, brush and rocks is an important component of fish habitat. Woody structures can provide resting areas, shade and escape cover, while also serving as fish attractors. As smaller organisms gat...