I have wild hay and native grasses growing all around my pond. Mixed in with these are fast growing, low to the ground brambles with thorns. It's difficult to fish around the pond without getting caught up and scratched by these. They grow much faster than the surrounding grass, so no matter how much I mow they're back pretty quickly.

Is there any way to control these without killing the surrounding grass? Obviously any chemicals would have to be pond and fish safe.

I'm in NE Oklahoma and I can take some pictures to help identify the brambles if that would help. Ideas?

If the wind/temp/ambient conditions allow, I would do a controlled burn in the Spring on the perimeter of the pond as things are greening up and there is still dead grass to act as fuel. That should whack the brambles back.

Controlled burns are commonly used in warm season grass fields to control unwanted weeds, saplings and underbrush from growing. They are typically done every couple of years.

For an inexpensive trial, buy a quart of Tordon RTU. Cut each bramble stalk as low to the ground as you can, then immediately paint the cut end with Tordon using a small paintbrush and Tordon RTU in a small can.

Ack - check out MILESTONE Herbicide by Dow. It's great on vines, and high "selective" to allow grass survival.
I expect to see this product's label expand into aquatics at some point in the not too distant future.
Many State-Specific uses already registered for this relatively new herbicide.

See uses at this link:

http://www.dowagro.com/range/resource/milestone_faq.htm

"Where can I use Milestone™ herbicide?
While Dow AgroSciences developed Milestone specifically for rangeland and pasture use, it is an excellent weed management tool on other land types and is labeled for use on areas such as wildlife and habitat management areas; wildlife openings; natural areas, including wildlands and wildlife refuges; and around seasonally dry wetlands, including ditchbanks, dry ditches and dry canals. In addition, it can be applied up to the water’s edge, making it ideal for controlling weeds along creeks and streams and around stock ponds."

RAH, also note we have Milestone available in quarts.
In addition, I expect an update to its labeled-sites in Jume that will be of interest to this group.

Do you work for DAS?

Welcome to Oklahoma!
Dale
Milburn Ok.
I never go out without coming back bleeding from something

Yes; indirectly.
My employer is a distributor for DAS (Dow Agrosciences) and many other manufacturers - including SePro, UPI, Bayer, Applied Biochemists, BASF, DuPont, etc.
Seeing as you're 25 mi from Indy, I'm guessing you know a few folks at Dow's HQ.

Been there since it opened its doors.

Sorry guys, I missed these replies until now. Thanks for the info.

So is the DOW Milestone is safe for my fish even if rain washes it from the pond bank into the water? If so it sounds like the perfect solution to my problem.