Artificial habitats (refuge, spawning, nesting and nursery) are designed to be effective, long lasting structures that allow fish to accomplish their daily and seasonal tasks with greater efficiency. Some artificial habitats have dual purposes and may also provide increased opportunities for anglers to catch and harvest fish (fish attraction). They can also provide increased surface areas for algae attachment, aquatic insect colonization and other food organisms which may increase fishery production. Many of these artificial habitats are designed to aide multiple fish species in completing various survival tasks (performance structures), which may also provide an opportunity to increase productivity within some impoundments. Small fish may utilize habitat (artificial, native or natural) to avoid predation by occupying habitat where predators cannot forage or (as predators) to utilize complex habitat as foraging areas. Increasing complex habitat may allow coexistence of predators and prey through the creation of microhabitat types. Increasing habitat complexity may positively influence predator efficiency by providing small fish with refuge in areas of high structure.
DCNR and the PFBC have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback
regarding the placement of the Large Scale habitat improvement devices. Shoreline and boat anglers have taken a particular interest in the PA Post Cluster structures due to their
appearance above the water line. The park has seen an increase in shoreline fishing in the areas that have been treated with the habitat improvement devices. In response to this increase in foot traffic to the popular shoreline sites, park staff has improved angler access by creating parking lots and mowing paths as well as fishing areas. In the month of May black crappies congregate and spawn in and around the PA Post Clusters and the PA Rock Stars in F. J. Sayers Reservoir. This has created a perfect opportunity for children and adults to pull in seemingly endless amounts of black crappies while shoreline fishing.