Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment eel grass

I have heard lots of good things about having eel grass in the pond. What are some of yall's experiences with it and would you recommend adding it to an existing pond? Thanks

Not sure where you are in KS John but I see many of our impoundments that go through cycles with Eel Grass. Seems it's present for a couple of years and then very sparse for several. Not sure what the key is but it's cyclic in nature in the impoundments I frequent.

Im in NE Kansas Leavenworth County. I haven't paid much attention to what's in our local lakes, but I've definitely never noticed it while fishing them. I've just seen and heard a lot of folks say its great for bait fish or fry to hang out in. I also think it's more of a shallow water grass, but hopefuly someone will chime in on it. If it primarily grows in shallow water and doesn't really cause a problem I would be interested in adding it. I've also read it can choke out other unwanted weeds which would be nice if true.

Canvasback Ducks rely on this for their very existence... Their success depends on it in their life cycle and it's my understanding that the 4.5-5' range is where it (eel grass) thrives and spreads the best. It's present in many of our western lakes but yearly fluctuations keep it from really taking-hold. If you can get it started, you may have good results.

Cool, thank you for your input.

Another vote for eel grass. If you can get it established, hopefully the water is clear enough that it will grow deeper than geese can reach. They denuded my pond of it and I have to replant.

Luckily I do not have a goose problem here so it should go okay unless my ducks eat it. lol

Standard native eel grass (Vallisneria americana) will grow on most bottom types. Fish can relatively easily hunt through eel grass although not as easily as maneuvering through lily pad stems. It grows well in most all ponds. Depth of spread depends on how clear the water is. As it spreads and beomes abundant it tends to cause the water to become clearer as it competes with phytoplankton for nutrients. I have seen eel grass grow 6 to 7 ft tall in clear water. One clear water pond that I help manage has eel grass growing all across the bottom in 14ft of water. What ever depth it is growing each plant will usually in August send the flower on a corkscrew stem to the surface. There are several species and varieties of eel grass that do not grow as tall as V.americana. Jungle eel grass is the exception and I have seen it having 6-8 ft long 1" wide leaves. Many of these other types are not native and usually prefer warmer winter conditions.

Thats great information, thank you. I want to add some beneficial plants without making my fishing experience a bad one. Looking for stuff I won't have to constantly be removing from my jig or lure. I made a seperate post about culling for larger YP and crappie. Im curious to hear what you have to say about it. its in the recent posts section. Thank you for your input and wealth of knowledge you share.

We planted it in several areas 2 years ago and fenced it. Only one cage survived and it has not spread outside the cage. Our water is fairly turbid much of the year. I'm planning more plantings this year and going a bit shallower to improve its chances for light.