Looks like Chad may be biting the bullet and buckling down on this coontail problem. I think this is a solid plan.
Dry conditions with most ponds and lakes around here having low water levels provide for low dilution risk with the use of fluridone. Timing is important. Application of fluridone (active ingredient in sonar or whitecap) for coontail control should be completed within about a 4 week window in April, hopefully before significant regrowth. The active ingredient needs to be in place when coontail starts to grow in order to be absorbed into plant tissue and provide a good kill. The lake can be fertilized about 1-2 weeks after fluridone application in order to boost plankton density. Most of the time we see lakes promoting plankton growth instead of FA growth after a fluridone app. Then bump with fertilizer as needed, or algaecides as needed, to steer in the right direction for the remainder of the 2011 growing season. Tilapia should be stocked to help consume detritus and FA related to dead coontail. Stock as many as you can, up to 30lbs per acre.
Keep in mind that this year you will see a drastic change in dynamics if your coontail treatment plan is successful. Fishing will change, ease of catchability may change, population dynamics will change. My recommendation is to provide significant new brush and/or other types of aquatic habitat to take the place of coontail vegetation, and allow for the largest existing size class of bass to take advantage of newly available forage migrating to new structure .
Last edited by overtonfisheries; 01/25/11 11:20 AM.
