Nebraska sinks 150 trees as brush-pile fish habitat in two Bridgeport SRA lakes

Anglers at Bridgeport State Recreation Area in the Nebraska Panhandle have new fish structure to target. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says crews used its new Aquatic Habitat Barge in September to sink brush piles in two of the area's sandpit lakes.

About 60 cedar and Russian olive trees went into five sites in the southeast lake, and about 90 trees into 11 sites in the middle lake. Brush piles give young fish cover and draw in panfish, bass and the predators that feed on them. Removing the trees also cleared shoreline and opened more bank access.

The agency has posted the brush pile locations on its OutdoorNebraska.gov lake contour maps, under "Habitat/Structure Maps." Anglers can load those before heading out.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, via The Fishing Wire — Brush piles add habitat to two Bridgeport SRA lakes (Oct. 22, 2026).