Application To Install Fish Habitat

Appalachian Power Company and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) encourage retention and enhancement of habitat along the shoreline. Providing structure in the water can provide valuable fish habitat, increase fish populations or attract fish to your shoreline depending upon the type of structure and water depths in which they are placed. For additional information please review the brochure entitled, Guidelines for Fish Habitat/Enhancement along Shorelines at Smith Mountain Lake.

Placing habitat structure in the lake is illegal without a permit. To avoid being cited by VDGIF, an application to install fish habitat must be submitted and permission obtained from Appalachian.

Individual lake residents should submit the requested information below and if acceptable, a permit will be mailed to you.

Groups, fishing clubs, or other organizations wishing to install fish habitat should use the following link.

Group/Club Application to Install Fish Habitat

If you need assistance in completing this form or selecting the best habitat, please contact the VDGIF by email, or by phone at 1-434-525-7522, Ext. 103.

If you're looking for some approved types of habitats, the VDGIF has asked us to provide links to the following products:

To complete this form: You will need the legal description of the property where the habitat is installed. Legal descriptions and tax map numbers can be obtained at the following web sites, depending on the county where the property is located.

(*) - indicates a required field

*First Name:
Middle Initial:
*Last Name:
*Mailing Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:
*Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
*Email Address:
*Confirm Email Address:

Street address of the property where the project is installed:

Same as the mailing address above

*Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:

*County:

Habitat Install 1

NOTE: Up to three habitat types/locations can be added per submission (see below).

*Legal Description: (Example: Park Place Lot 299) See these web sites: BedfordCountyVA.gov co.campbell.va.us FranklinCountyVA.gov PittGov.org
*Tax Map Number:
Latitude & longitude location, if known:

*Type of habitat to be installed:	Please specify:
*Number of structures to be installed:

Habitat

Using the image above as a reference, please pick the best description of the habitat's location.
All directions are as viewed from shore.

*Approximate habitat location:
*Type of anchor:	Please explain:
*Water depth at bottom of habitat as measured from the 795 foot contour elevation:
*Height of structure:
*Estimated date of installation:
Name of installer - if different from applicant (Optional)

Add a second habitat

Habitat Install 2

*Type of habitat to be installed:	Please specify:
*Number of structures to be installed:

Habitat

Using the image above as a reference, please pick the best description of the habitat's location.
All directions are as viewed from shore.

*Approximate habitat location:
*Type of anchor:	Please explain:
*Water depth at bottom of habitat as measured from the 795 foot contour elevation:
*Height of structure:
*Estimated date of installation:
Name of installer - if different from applicant (Optional)

Add a third habitat

Habitat Install 3

*Type of habitat to be installed:	Please specify:
*Number of structures to be installed:

Habitat

Using the image above as a reference, please pick the best description of the habitat's location.
All directions are as viewed from shore.

*Approximate habitat location:
*Type of anchor:	Please explain:
*Water depth at bottom of habitat as measured from the 795 foot contour elevation:
*Height of structure:
*Estimated date of installation:
Name of installer - if different from applicant (Optional)

Please allow at least 1 week before your permit can be issued.

Special habitat and enhancement projects by neighborhood associations or fishing clubs may be considered. Contact Appalachian Power for more information.