Donations fund trout area improvements

Thanks to several monetary donations, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently began work on two important projects at the lower Illinois and lower Mountain Fork trout areas.<br>

Friday, December 22nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Thanks to several monetary donations, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently began work on two important projects at the lower Illinois and lower Mountain Fork trout areas.

At the lower Illinois River, the Department is constructing a handicapped accessible fishing dock at the damsite that will provide excellent access for anyone wanting to fish the swirling waters below Tenkiller. Traditionally one of the most productive trout fishing locations on the lower Illinois, the damsite has had bank fishing access, but the new dock will greatly improve fishing opportunities for trout enthusiasts.

The Oklahoma Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Tulsa donated $625 for constructing a handicapped access walkway leading to the fishing dock, which anglers are already using to catch trout.

"We need to recognize Corps of Engineers personnel with the Tenkiller Project Office because only through their help, and more importantly, funding assistance, can anglers now enjoy this great access point," said Hutchie Weeks, northeast region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department.

The lower Mountain Fork trout stream also is benefiting from Trout Unlimited (the 89er Chapter in Oklahoma City). Department personnel, through a $500 donation for habitat improvement, have constructed and installed a series of 30 "half-logs" in the river. The structures resemble wooden benches with rocks placed around them providing additional cover, stability and to blend the structures with the surrounding landscape. Although the structures, which trout use for cover, have only been in the river for a few weeks, biologists have already seen fish in and around them.

"Both projects were made possible by anglers," said Kim Erickson, fisheries chief for the Wildlife Department. "In addition to the direct donations we received, the Department also matched those donations on a three to one basis with Sport Fish Restoration funds. These funds also come from fishermen through their purchase of fishing tackle and motorboat fuels."

Under the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs, hunters and anglers pay a special federal tax, about 10 percent, and the funds raised are distributed to the various state fish and wildlife agencies. This year, Oklahoma received approximately $4.7 million in Sport Fish funds and approximately $3.8 million in Wildlife Restoration funds. The funds are used for a variety of fish and wildlife habitat improvement and hunting and fishing access projects.