Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations thousands of sunfish fry

Does anybody no much about floating pond weed? It has become quite invasive in my pond. It makes it more difficult to fish in the areas that are covered. Was thinking about removing much of it manually with a weed cutter, but it seems to be great habitat for fish (sunfish as well as SMB)and i am reluctant to cut it to some degree. If it is removed, will it increase the temp in the pond due to less shade that the floating leaves provide? Pond is 6 acres average depth aprox. 7 ft. , summertime temps between 70 and 80 degrees. flow into pond30 gal a min variable. Fish in pond- SMB,red breasted sunfish as a forage base.
About a week ago my son called me over to the dock, It was after dark and he had found something in the water with his flashlight. When i got there i couldnt believe my eyes, in the water was a huge cloud of sunfish fry aprox 10 ft around .first time i had ever seen anything like that. Sunfish started spawning in pond 4 years ago. Anybody ever see anything like that?

Have seen that often with BG ( not with RBS as we don't have any) but in smaller pods (4 ft). It sounds like an interesting combo of fish (SMB and RBS). I know there are quite a few forum members who would like to hear more about your pond and results. Can you describe the weeds and say what % of the pond is covered. Then we can try to help better. There is a lot of plant knowledge here.

They are called floating or longleaf pond weed, oval shaped leaf that floats on the surface, small non-descriped flower about 2 inches long . they increase there numbers through vegatative reproduction. 65% of my pond is covered by this plant. They are a common plant in nothern ponds and slow moving streams. My pond is located in northern New Hampshire. As for my choice of fish in the pond SMB and redbreasts, so far has proved to be a great combo!Sunfish are looking great ,growing fast and fat. They dont seem to be overpopulating to the point of stunting. The bass are doing great as well! Caught some last week. 3 year olds ( they spawned in the pond 3 years ago) are between 9 and 11 inches and are all fat and healthy looking. Already starting to put up a little battle at the end of a line, Jumping 2 or 3 times before you get them in. Loads of fun even at that size! I also have a very good population of crayfish in the pond that has dramatically increased since i introduced the sunfish...i found that to be interesting. did not put them in they were there all by themselves. Afew crayfish traps few the years have helped me monitor there population.
I noticed this year that the female rebreasts are much heavier with roe then they ever have been since there introduction, interesting, dont yet know the reason for it.

Can't find a reference to long leaf pond weed. Does it look anything like this link.

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/submerged_plants/american_pondweed_pics.htm

Try this link to your Coop. Ext.

http://extension.unh.edu/News/GoodPond.htm

65% plant coverage is a lot. The usual top recommended figure is about 20%. Better ID that stuff and find out what the control options are even if you don't use them.

The better the condition of the fish the more likely they are to have more eggs and a bigger spawn.

The plant i have in my pond is very similar to that plant. From what i have read about it the basic plant is the same but varies slightly from region to region

There are a number of different Potamogetons (pond weed)species. I suggest you contact the second link as provided and see what they think about what to do. It looks like the Ext. agent provides that service.

Hey its funny you sent me that link! I know JJ Newman(the author) she has been to my pond more then once. Great gal!