Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Need to get rid of your live Christmas trees? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Martins Fork Lake are asking for those trees, which will be placed in the lake for fish nesting areas.

“You can bring them any time that is convenient for you,” said Park Ranger Brent Sewell. “You may drop them off at the boat ramp on the right side of the road if coming from Harlan and on the left side of the road if you are coming from the Smith area above the lake.”

Sewell said the Christmas trees allow them to create an artificial fish nesting area. He said once the trees are set the fish will use them throughout the year for nesting and general habitat.

“We place the trees in shallow waters, along the banks and in the deep parts of the lake,” said Sewell. “This provides the greatest benefit to all the fish species in the lake.”

Fishermen can largely find large-mouth bass, bluegill, catfish, walleye and crappie fish species at Martins Fork Lake.

“The fish bite year round and the crappie season will begin in January and February,” said Sewell. “As the weather warms up the bass will begin going on nesting sites.”

Sewell said a new courtesy float has now been installed on the lake, which will help fishermen more easily launch their boats.

“We replaced an existing one with a slightly larger one, which is in better condition,” said Sewell. “This float is used by fishermen to tie their boats to after they launch so they can go back up and park their vehicles and such. It also keeps their boat from beating against the shoreline. This is available to use any time now and is located on the right side of the road as you approach the lake coming from Harlan.”

Martins Fork Lake is a 340-acre reservoir located in the Smith area of the county. The lake was impounded from a branch of the Cumberland River in 1979 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is named for James Martin, an early pioneer in the area.

The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for thousands of visitors each year. Those visiting the lake have numerous activities from which to choose, including: fishing, hunting, picnicking, camping, sunbathing, hiking, boating and other activities.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com