LDWF deploys artificial reef in Grand Bayou Reservoir

The reef is composed of nine structures that will create habitat coverage by using recycled gas pipe and sweet gum trees. (Photo courtesy LDWF)
The reef is composed of nine structures that will create habitat coverage by using recycled gas pipe and sweet gum trees. (Photo courtesy LDWF)

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists recently constructed and deployed an artificial reef at John K. Kelley Grand Bayou Reservoir.

The artificial reef is designed to provide additional habitat for fish, and to offer anglers increased opportunities while fishing in Grand Bayou Reservoir. The new reef was placed in a depth of 15-17 feet of water to provide much needed deep-water fish habitat. The reef site is marked with a yellow buoy so anglers can easily locate it.

The reef is composed of nine different structures. They are approximately 4 feet tall, with concrete at the base to hold each in place and upright. Various sizes of recycled gas pipe donated by Atmos Energy were secured at 90-degree angles in pre-drilled holes to add arms and limbs for additional cover. Sweet gum trees were tied within each structure to increase the habitat coverage. The woody cover placed within each structure is intended to attract fish to the cover quickly, but will break down over time. The main structures should last for a long period of time, as the PVC and plastic structures will not break down when shaded in deeper water, and will slowly have increased algae growth that attracts forage.

The reef site is marked with a yellow buoy so anglers can easily locate it. (Photo courtesy LDWF)
The reef site is marked with a yellow buoy so anglers can easily locate it. (Photo courtesy LDWF)

A second, similar artificial reef structure is scheduled to be deployed by December 2022.

Location of the new reef:

  • N 32.00713
  • W 93.21856

For additional information about LDWF’s artificial reef program, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/artificial-reefs.