Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Crayfish and GC for Vegetation Control

Have a vegetation issue on two ponds upon which I need your advice.

Main pond - 3 acres. I have abundant pondweed [horned, american, sago] and I'm concerned it's providing TOO MUCH cover for my BG population that I need to keep managed due to lack of predation from my SMB, YP, and HSB. They simply can't keep up and my BG population has exploded and they are stunting. I want to manage the pondweed without use of herbicides. I have already stocked 3 GC - am considering stocking more. Any suggestions on stocking qty? I certainly do not want to DENUDE the pond of vegetation, but need it cropped significantly.

Crayfish can also assist in vegetation management, but considering my strong SMB population stocking additional crayfish may not be a wise investment. Any thoughts?

When considering crayfish would RUSTY crawfish EVER be a species one could consider? Isn't their tendency to completely consume all vegetation? Perhaps my native papershells is a better option?

BG/RES reproduction pond - .3 acres Also has considerable vegetation making seining very difficult in Fall. Do not want to use dyes or herbicides - Cody suggested using papershells and in high enough density they could keep the pond very clean. Bill I want to ensure I understood you correctly at the conference. Any other advice is appreciated.


Thanks in advance.