Technological advances have improved methods of removing or shaving stumps in lakes and Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir, with thousands of stumps just below the surface, will benefit.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is contracting Stump Busters underwater stump removal service to clear and renovate the boat lanes throughout the lake.

Lake Conway has 23 miles of marked boat lanes that are relatively clear of stumps. However, boaters idling in the lanes of the 6,700-acre fishery can feel the bump of a random stump that was missed when the newest lanes were developed about 14 years ago.

With modern sonar systems and an innovative underwater saw, however, most of these stumps can be removed and the lanes modified to be more angler-friendly.

Matt Horton, habitat biologist at the AGFC’s Mayflower office, said the project likely will renovate 10-12 miles of boat lanes. The remaining lanes will be renovated in sections as funding becomes available each year.

The project is scheduled to start this month, but is dependent on weather. Horton says the lanes will be cleared and marked, and the old boat lane markers will be removed before the end of May. For more information on the project, click here: https://www.agfc.com/en/news/2020/03/04/improved-stump-removal-process-to-renovate-lake-conway-boat-lanes/