Live Christmas tree donations help boost fish habitat and how colder temperatures influence fish habits
Many people go out each year and pick live trees to take place for their homes Christmas tree.
After Christmas Day, many people then look to get rid of their trees, but the Missouri Department of Conservation is allowing for a green way to repurpose those trees with Christmas tree drop-off locations in Columbia, Jefferson City and California, Missouri.
If you are looking to drop off your live Christmas tree after taking off all of its decorations, you can go to 3500 E. Gans Road in Columbia Missouri, Washington Park near Vivion Field in Jefferson City and Proctor Park in California, Missouri, from Jan. 1-31. Make sure to not drop off any artificial trees, as they will not be accepted for this program and you will be turned away.
These once alive trees, will be used and placed by the Missouri Department of Conservation as structure in local ponds and lakes to increase fish habitat. According to Terri Fike, fishery specialist with MDC, these trees act as great host for small aquatic invertebrates and algae growth. This then attracts smaller bait fish to diet off of these nutrient rich growths. On top of this, live Christmas trees can also act as shelter for small bait fish species to escape larger fish. In turn, larger fish wait just on the outside of trees creating a great place for anglers to target.
During the winter months, these structures can become very important for anglers to target as it can increase chances of catches. Fish are typically less active during the winter months as their metabolisms decrease due to the decreasing temperatures. This means fish don't feed as often since they don't require as much energy to move around.
Just because the fish activity decreases, that doesn't mean you can't find success while fishing. Fish still need to eat, but your tactics of how you catch them might change. Fike mentions to use less motion and slow down baits and tackle to lure fish in more appropriately.
