NEW ROADS - Fishermen say wildlife is improving around False River due to efforts to improve water quality in the popular oxbow lake.

In the past 10 months contractors have dredged and pumped silt to form an island on the south flat of False River. The 16.5 acres of silt used to overwhelm fish on the bottom of the lake. That led to a decline in fishing the past few years. The new island is already showing new signs of life.

"These trees are 8-10 feet tall already. We have natural cypress trees popping out and cotton woods along this edge. It's wonderful," said Pointe Coupee Police Juror Kyle Olinde. "The lily pads in the pit itself is amazing. It just shows you that all this stuff was buried in the silt through the years, and after we stirred it up it got live."

Fishermen say they have been getting more bites lately.

"For False River standards, I've fished here for five or six years, and it was a great day. Those have been more frequent," said Andrew Green. "Now the young have a place to live. You know, young fish have cover. It's going to benefit the system all around."

Work on the south flat should be finished by the end of September. Olinde says the parish plans to address the north end of False River when funding becomes available.