Firs for the Fish (and the Fishermen)

Leftover Christmas trees used as fish habitats in lakes, somewhat like old ships being sunk and used as artificial reefs.

The trees are taken to a different lake each year, where volunteers bundle them and secure them to the lake bed. Within days, the newly denuded branches become covered with algae, which attract aquatic insects, fish and, ultimately, fishermen.

The incentive to get volunteers?

“If they help, we give them the GPS coordinates of the trees,” Mr. Mitchell said of the volunteers, many of whom are anglers. “You can go right to the spot, and it’ll be good fishing there.”