Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Weeds - Good ? Bad ? Ugly ?

I'm in year #5 of an 8 acre new pond in NE Oklahoma. Fish are thriving; bluegills in all size classes pounding feed on three feeders. I'm happy with the fishing, bass population, and size. Water quality visually looks really good. I don't have a secci but I'd estimate visibility around 18" with a nice olive color. My goals of a good fishing hole are being exceeded. I spend just as much time relaxing on the dock as I do fishing.

Weed growth in year 5 is now peaked; all water 3 feet and less has weed growth from thick to super thick. American pond weed on all shore lines and the thick stuff, I believe, is a grassy stringy mess which I think is sago pondweed. I'd say of the 8 acres; there is 3 to 3.5 acres of weeds.

To my question - is that amount of weed coverage - 40-45% - 'BAD'? The weeds don't bother me one bit. They all died off nicely last year as they should in our cold winters. Fishing those shallows in spring and fall was excellent.

I hear folks killing weeds off with all kinds of products but I don't really want to, or plan to, unless they are doing anything to the system that might be harmful. FWIW I did put in about 15 grass carp a couple years ago and 30# of tilapia this year. I know that isn't enough for weed control but that's all the budget wanted to take this year.

The grass carp of about 2/ac was a good number to start with for reducing but not eliminating some of the weed community. You can always add a 1 grass carp per acre when the weeds become more than 40%-45% coverage. Ideally fishery research indicates that around 30% weed coverage is best. IMO the more weeds that are present the less filamentous algae that will be present. Rooted vegetation keeps string algae reduced as it uses nutrients and competes for space.

Thanks Bill. The FA came and went in April / early May. Fishing in the boat yesterday I barely saw much of it.

I plant all kinds of native aquatic vegetation and can't keep up with whatever eats it. I finally have white water lilies reproducing. The only patch of water celery (eel grass) has been fenced for 5 years and still hasn't ventured out. Illinois pond weed is fenced as well. I think your coverage is perfect and I wouldn't ever put a damn grass carp in. They live 25 years.