Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Water lilies, grass carp, and Navigate

I'm not a very active poster here but as some might remember I have a 4.5 acre pond that is approaching 50 percent water lily coverage. Last year I tried Navigate on an area and it appeared to work very well, however now you cannot tell it was treated. I sent in my permit request for triploid grass carp today along with $50 check to the inland fisheries office in Baton Rouge. Hope to get some carp next month or early in May. Bladderwort is also a big problem in my pond and that's why I'm getting the carp.

Can I expect any water lily control with the grass carp. I'm afraid of how much money I would have to spend on Navigate to fully rid the pond of lilies.

What kind of lilies do you have? Common water lilies? Nuphar/Spadderdock? American lotus? Watershield? Knowing which type you have can make a difference in the treatment-approach. And, rebounding plants in the season following a treatment is no surprise IF the previous generations had already produced viable seeds (which weren't affected by your previous treatment).
Also, do you irrigate from the pond?
Grasscarp might help with the bladderwort (not sure how it ranks on their diet-preference list). But, the carp probably won't help at all on the lilies.

I believe they are the white water lily

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/white-water-lily/

I know they are taking up valuable fishing and spawning areas in my pond, while blocking sunlight and decreasing photosynthesis.

I just want the lilies gone.

If they're waterlilies, consider leaving them - especially in shallow areas. Indeed, they block/intercept sunlight - which actually helps prevent more problematic issues beneath the surface (algae, submerged weeds). If they invade deeper water (>4'), conduct topical spot-treatments to keep 'em in check.
If it turns out they're NOT waterlilies, a more aggresive approach might be in order (IMO).
To each their own - but be careful about opening up too much surface-area over shallow zones. Nature hates a void, and will do everything possible to fill them with something (possibly even less tolerable) if given the opportunity.

I'm positive they are white water lilies. I just want to be able to fish some open shallow water without the area being choked up with water lilies. I'm going to meet with the builder of the pond and look at drawing it down. This would allow me to draw the water down and expose the ground where the lilies are growing.