SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Ever wanted your Christmas tree to be turned into a fish habitat? This season is your chance at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake and the Hartwell Dam and Lake.
Real Christmas trees will be accepted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District’s Forest, Fish and Wildlife Section.
Corps of Engineers personnel will create shelters and food for bait fish by bundling, weighting the tree with concrete anchors and submerging them. The Corps will be attaching fish attractor buoys to the different locations.
Public anglers can also pick up recycled trees to create habitats at a desired location, officials said.
Remove any decorations such as tinsel, lights, garland, bulbs or ornaments before dropping your tree off. Artificial trees are not allowed and will not be accepted.
Trees can be dropped at the following locations:
Hartwell Lake:
Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 26, 2025.
Georgia
- Big Oaks boat ramp (Hart County)
- Poplar Springs boat ramp (Franklin County)
South Carolina
- Twin Lakes boat ramp (Pickens County)
- Coneross boat ramp (Oconee County)
- Mount Lebanon Elementary School (Anderson County)
For more information, contact Park Ranger Jason Corder at (706) 856-0332.
Thurmond Lake:
Dec. 20, 2025- Jan. 17, 2025
Georgia
Amity Day Use Area (Boat Ramp Area)
- Keg Creek Boat Ramp (Boat Ramp Area)
South Carolina
- Primary location: Below Dam Day Use Park, by the sign (33.658390, -82.195938) in Clarks Hill, SC.
- Dorn Boat Ramp (Boat Ramp Area)
- Parksville Day Use Area (Boat Ramp Area)
For more information, contact Conservation Biologist Evan Brashier at (864)-333-1159 or evan.g.brashier@usace.army.mil.