Don’t forget to drop off your live Christmas trees for the fish at Claytor Lake State Park.
Help the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Claytor Lake State Park create fish habitat reef structures each year by saving your live trees.
“Drop day,” the day volunteers will drop the trees into the lake to create the fish habitats, is currently Jan. 18, with a backup weather date of Jan. 23.
The habitat structures “help ensure years of great fishing at Claytor Lake” and also recycle old Christmas trees.
“Donated trees will be incorporated into reef structures to enhance habitat for game fish,” announced Friends of Claytor Lake, Inc. “You can also observe similar habitat currently in use at Claytor Lake on the underwater webcam.”
Trees will be accepted from Christmas until Jan. 14 at the marina parking lot. All trees must be real and free of lights, tinsel, and other ornaments. Those making a tree donation will receive free park admission on the day of donation. Please follow the tree tag directions located at the drop site at the marina for proof of donation and parking pass receipt. Please note that the park will be closed Jan. 5-6, for natural resource management.
Interested in volunteering to help prep trees leading up to or helping on drop day? For more details and to sign up to volunteer go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks. If inclement weather is in the forecast, please email claytorlake@dcr.virginia.gov or call 540-643-2500.
Staff report
