Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Removing weeds/vegetation along lakefront

I know some aquatic vegetation can be good for lakes, but we recently purchased this lakefront home and the vegetaton that was leading up to the water is pretty thick. I mowed and trimmed up to where the water starts to show(it's so this you cant really tell where water line is until you step in it), but this stuff still goes like 10 feet out. I tried using a weed razer but it doesn't really sink very deep due to it being pretty shallow and the weeds being kind of viny and a tangly mess. I don't mind the vegetation further off shore, as I plan to fish, but any suggestions making the shoreline more clean? Thank you!


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Can you post a couple of close-up pics of the plant (or plants) showing its main characteristics?

Step one for weed clearing is to identify the plant. Fortunately, there are several experts that can help.

Step two is to hit the plant with the proper tool (either mechanical or chemical) after it has been identified.

Step three is to take small bites if clearing the entire shoreline is too big of a job. Maybe create a few weed-free lanes or pie wedges in your best fishing areas. With the practice doing those areas, you should be a more efficient worker as you move up to tackling bigger sections.

Congrats on the lake front home!

That should do it. Follow the directions on the label, and don't go by the "more is better" approach. Too much and you will shock the plant, and it will stop translocating to the roots, which you want to kill too.

Just wanted to update on the progress. This first picture is basically what I was dealing with. The torpedo grass was extending out pretty far, all matted and thick across the whole bank.



This is what I cut back so far using the lake razer and a rake.



I've gotten a lot of the muck buildup out and like the improvement. I guess I'm wondering what else can I do to limit the grow back? Now that I got a lot of the buildup, should I let it grow back a little and target the plants individually as they pop up?

The lake razer doesn't cut all the way near the bottom of the grass as you can see in this photo




I bought the Midwest lake rake which is a double serrated blade, but that thing doesn't work well at all on grass near shore.

06cards, being in Florida, do alligators creep you out when you're in the water clearing vegetation?

Good job, 06!

If you are getting tuckered out by that massive job, just keep clear cutting some "coves" back to your shore line. Your forage fish should love the edge habitat and hopefully your gamefish will get a future benefit.

Thank you FishinRod! It is quite the job, I'll keep that in mind! I am starting to see fish close to shore now which is nice

Eastland, I know of 3 gators in the lake, all of which are under 6 ft. From what other people have said, they swam away upon sight. I haven't personally seen any. Others have seen some Cottonmouths and Rattlesnakes in some of the areas. (I haven't seen any snakes either). I always keep them in mind while wading waste deep, but being able to see the water clearer has eased some concern. Cutting the farthest vegetation out and working in seems to provide more visuals. If I was further south, instead of the Panhandle, I probably would be more worried going out there though