for the last several years, I cant remember when it started, this grass began growing in my ponds. it has roots and eventually loosen from the bottom and float to the top. it makes fishing difficult because it surrounds the lures. when it is real bad, every cast retrieves a mat of this stuff. it is mainly in the shallows but I have seen it growing in 4-5 feet of clear water. I think it makes the water clearer. a few years ago after liming, I did get a plankton bloom. im not sure if it was the poor sunlight penetration or the grass carp that I added that got rid of most of it, it floated to the top, decomposed and the bottom of the ponds were nice and clean.
this year, this stuff is growing like crazy. the water is clear but it is growing on the water edges out of the water. it also grows in the water too.

I think its widgeon grass. I would appreciate any advice on what this is, if grass carp will eat it, what will kill it, or use pond dye or try to get a bloom going.

this is a sport fish pond only 12 acres, bass, bluegill, catfish, threadfin shad

attached is a link to the pics, they were too large to upload. 3 pictures of the bloom is from a few years ago.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=589C2D360BB79564!422&authkey=!ADdJpr0JcFMSKGw&ithint=folder%2cJPG

thanks
JB

JB, I tried, but I can't see the picture.

Some of JB's Pictures...

copy and paste the link into another browser window

http://1drv.ms/1AVoX0I

I guess this could also be slender spikerush?

I was hoping Kelly Duffie would see this post. The guy is amazing on identifying and suggesting the best control practices on aquatic plant life!

the link has 2 close up pictures of the grass not included in the post

Look at this site and try to id the plant.

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/visual-index/



Pic
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=589c2d360bb79564&id=589C2D360BB79564%21424&ithint=folder,&authkey=!AFb6xQR8CbGcO1c

My guess

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/visual-index/sago-pondweed/

See this thread and do a search for Kelly and look at other pics

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.ph...true#Post235477

slender spikerush

http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?sub=24917

this appears to be the culprit

^ Good job, you nailed it - or at least that's what I call it.
See previous posts:
2012-A
2012-B
2010 / The ID Debate

CLEARCAST or GALLEON are potential treatment-options (as whole BOW treatments). BTW, the treated body of water must remain static for an extended period of time for optimal performance.

thanks Kelly

from the above readings, it looks like carp will eat it.

thanks for the herbicide recs

JB

You can give them a try - and please do; but I know of several instances where GC were ineffective on this plant species.
I can't imagine slender spikerush ranking very high on their food-preference list - especially due to its physiology and growth-habits - and the GC's feeding-mechanics, but I suppose they'd try to eat it if nothing else (more desirable) is available.

not good news. i feel the BOW is too large to treat with herbicide, economically. probably better to invest in lime and fertilizer!

it usually dies back a little as the weather cools. ill have to get an aggressive jump on a plankton bloom.