January 2007:

To evaluate the Allatoona Reservoir Fish Attractor Program, an online angler survey was created by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Allatoona Team Tournament (ATT) to gauge angler perception of the program. The survey was posted on the ATT home page (http://www.allatoonateamtournament.com/) for a period of two-years.

A total of 57 survey responses were received over the survey period. Nine of the responses were un-usable for analysis as they lacked definitive information. Of the 48 remaining responses, 54% indicated they were able to locate the PVC fish attractors. Of those locating a PVC fish attractor, 62% stated the locations were somewhat or more difficult to locate than other structures such as brush.

Of the 54% of respondents that located a PVC fish attractor, 58% reported catching game fish at the location. Highest success (60%) was reported during the summer months. Spotted bass accounted for 47% of the fish species reported caught. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, Morone spp. (striped bass, hybrids, white bass), and bream in decreasing occurrence were reported as caught while fishing the PVC fish attractors.

One aspect of the PVC fish attractor design was to reduce frequent lure hang-ups commonly associated with brush piles. The majority (67%) of respondents indicated they got hung-up less than experienced on brush piles. A quarter of respondents indicated hang-ups were similar to rates experienced while fishing brush piles. These results would suggest the PVC fish attractor design is at least perceived as producing fewer lure hang-ups.

In terms of PVC fish attractor placement in the reservoir, 58% of respondents indicated the fish attractors were placed at suitable water depths (25-30ft.). On the other hand, 38% of respondents stated the PVC fish attractors were placed too deep. Anglers often commented they would like to see "shallower" fish attractors placed in Allatoona as part of this program.

Finally, and perhaps the most telling of the survey questions, was whether or not the fish attractor program should continue at Allatoona? An overwhelming 86% of respondents stated the program should continue in the future. Nine percent (9%) were undecided and 5% answered the program should be halted. These findings strongly suggest the majority of anglers want an organized fish habitat improvement program to continue at Allatoona in the future.

The PVC fish attractor program will continue at Allatoona with some future modifications based on survey responses. Existing and future PVC fish attractor sites will be made larger, allowing for easier location by anglers. Future placement of PVC fish attractors will be guided by underwater video assessment of existing structures. This will allow for a qualitative assessment of what factors (ie. location, substrate type, water level) make one fish attractor site better than another. An additional shallow (<15 ft.) water component to the program will be developed in 2007. This will likely focus on toppling shoreline trees around the lake, and creating brush piles in the winter drawdown zone of Allatoona. Future changes and improvements will certainly be made to this dynamic program, as new cooperative partnerships are forged amongst Allatoona Reservoir stakeholders.