Missouri volunteers sank 93 cedar piles to rebuild fish habitat in Truman Lake

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.