Evaluation of two reef materials and point or cove locations for construction of artificial reefs in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Abstract

Research was initiated in April, 1973, to evaluate the use of artificial reefs in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.

Twelve areas of the reservoir were selected for study. The sites were chosen from SCUBA and fathometer survey data on the basis of uniformity of water depth, substrate type, amount of submerged cover, and bottom topography.

Four reefs were constructed of scrap automobile tires and four were made of discarded Christmas trees. The remaining four sites were designated control areas.

Experimental fishing surveys, SCUBA surveys, and trapping and netting surveys revealed several trends: 1. That sunfishes preferred tree reefs to tire reefs during the spring sampling period, and 2. that reefs effectively concentrated fishes as compared to control areas during the sampling period.