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.

Crays will work better or more successfully in the Bg/RES pond than the larger pond. Smallies will likely keep the cray numbers low enough in the big pond so the crays only mildly thin out their favorite plants/vegetation. After adding the crays in small pond, it may take several years until the cray population gets high enough to eliminate the weeds. Start with papershells. Then if you don't see significant weed reduction after 3-4 yrs add add some rusty crays. You may have to manually thin some of the vegetation for the first 1-3 yrs until the crays become abundant. Buy yourself a weed razor and lake rake.

The amur should eat / 'enjoy' all the weeds you mention. In one acre, would stock at least 2-3 more and give all 5-6, 3 full summers to achieve optimum performance. In the meantime use the rake and weed razor to help the amur "get er done". Use the weeds you take out as mulch for trees or garden plants. One can remove lots of weeds in 3-4 hrs of cutting and raking. Do that 2-4 times per spring-summer and give the fish a break from angling so often. Maybe buy the razor and rake first clean out seining areas then see where you are at before adding all extra 3 amur. Maybe Add one per year. Your goal is to NOT denude the pond. Also you can spot treat weeds with Hydrothol (granular). Check with Kelly Duffie on other spot treatment options.

Aww TJ, I think you just need to stock a couple hundred pounds of papershells in the larger pond. That should help the problem.

Or buy a Fyke net. I'm getting prices on one, should I see if there is any discount for 2?

If you see tha amur hitting the pellets, go and fish with a Stubby Steves, and give them a workout. That should re-direct their feeding efforts back to plants.

Bill - thank you for refreshing my memory on our conversation.

Scott yes I think I am still in the market for a fyke net. Let me know what you find out price wise.

Thankfully I have yet to witness a GC hitting pellets - but I'm often absent during feedings. I think another 3 for the main pond might be in order.

Any recommendations on sourcing crawfish? Hartleys?

Bill/all what are your concerns with trapping from nearby creek? These are native crays in the creek and most likely already have made their way into my ponds. Aside from introduction of parasites/diseases, any words of wisdom on transporting wild crays from creek about a quarter mile from my pond?

I'd like to see waht Bill says, but I don't think you can transfer the numbers that you need.

TJ send me a PM for some info on a source for papershells. Isee Hartleys do have crayfish at a decent price $5.00/lb, although they don't list the species. Obviously their crayfish live and thrive in their ponds which is a good start. I would only as a last resort introduce unknown stream species of crayfish. Once you know how to recognize the few local species in your stream it is not that hard to collect and sort.

As I mentioned above a weed razor and rake are very helpful in removing quite a few weeds in a relatively short time in ponds 1 ac and less. Cutting submerged vascular weeds right before or at flowering stage will often stop the cut growth areas for the summer.

So is it the opinion of most PBers tht Procambarus clarkii (red swamp)is not a good choice for northern ponds?

because if you want those TJ the prices are way better. We are selling after driving 1200 mile round trip for $3/lb.

I like the price. Approx how many crays/lb?

we are getting "field run" 15-20/lb. THey cna also get "peelers" and for small order no difference in price. THey are 40/lb. I like bigger to survive bass predation. I can have them live shipped to your door for probably right about $3/lb if you get 100 lbs. Cost goes up for smaller amounts b/c still same packaging.

Thanks Greg...that's a fair price. What is the consensus on this species of Craw, "Procambarus clarkii (red swamp)" for Northern Ponds? Are they burrowing? Cold water intolerant? What's the downside?

TJ that is why I asked the question. I hoped other would chime in. I think they are not on the list for allowed stocking in MO, not sure in NE? Heard they have issues with them displacing native species in Wisc. However not really sure up there. I know they help accomplish our goals in the south of growing larger bass. Actually price is $3.25 for 120 lbs (min.) price drops to $2.95/lb for 400 lb orders.

I researched this a bit - seems they may actually DENUDE a pond of it's vegetation, which is not my ultimate goal, just management. I would hate to stock something and regret it later. I seriously doubt with my SMB population ANYTHING could denude my pond of vegetation, but its happening in in some states. Not sure they are legal to stock in NE either...will have to research.

Yes i think GC are the same thou they could get rid of all the plants. Thsi is the goal in our metro ATL lakes they want them to lokk 'pretty". This is when I say checmicals are in order if you nat partial reduction.

Thanks for the update, if you do decide do it quickly the source wil be gone in about 2 weeks Im told and agree SMB should keep in check???

Tj, do the research and if it's legal, pull the trigger. Don't worry about not having plants. With your BG problem you don't want any, and it'll make it easier to seine.