Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations A Lunker In Every Stocking

I, too, eradicate plenty of cattails. But, let's not lose perspective.
Cattails are plants nature uses to hold loose soils in shallow water. Some environments need cattails.
I have found cattails in water as deep as six feet, and as shallow as ankle deep.
In every case, cattails grow in loose, mucky dirt.
Cattails don't serve a constructive purpose for fish cover.
Cattails are invasive in waters less than six feet deep.
On the other hand, cattails can serve a wonderful purpose in a landscape, or to provide a visual barrier.
I have used dwarf cattails in landscapes. Bought some from a water garden distributor before.
Look at cattails in your overall scheme. Want them for fish cover? Forget it.
Want them to hold loose soils in a shallow creek bed, next to a neighbor you don't want to see? May be a good idea.
Want them as part of a diversified landscape? Use dwarf cattails, with other species of plants.
Here's my biggest point....you have lots of tools at your disposal. You have different plants, different fish, boats, docks, fertilizer, herbicides, catch and release, slot limits and many others.
Use the tools which apply to reach your goals. Leave the others for their best applications.
Look at cattails as another of nature's tools. If it applies to your environment, use it. If not, don't.