Lake Shelbyville – A record number, 157 volunteers, joined to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources place donated Christmas trees and artificial fish habitat structures into Lake Shelbyville on March 9, 2013. Every year donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at select locations to enhance fish habitat in the lake. Due to the dwindling number of donated Christmas trees, 150 artificial fish habitat structures were purchased. They were then assembled on site by volunteers and placed in the lake. Both the tree and artificial structures provide fish with breeding areas, escape cover and food source from the growth of algae and plankton on or near the structures. The structures are not only invaluable to the fish but to anglers as well.