Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Algae and Water Clarity???

Good morning!

I am really not sure where I should put this post, it could probably fit in several different categories.

I dug and built a pool in 2010, when full, it’s about 2.5 to 3 acres. Upon completion, I stocked the recommended rates of bluegill, red ear perch, and LM bass. Fishing the first couple of years was really pretty good. After those first couple of years, fishing has been really tough. IF you caught one, it was between 8-11” and skinny. Since 2010 we have caught some good fish, several in the 2-4lb range, a couple 8-9lbers, and one that was over 10lbs. But mostly you weren’t catching anything but short skinny fish if you caught anything at all.

In 2017, I had a survey done, ph was at 8 and it was recommended that I remove 200 fish under 13” and add some structure. At that time, I was too busy with work and kids to follow those recommendations. But I retired this year and my number 1 priority is getting this tank in shape. Since June of this year, I have removed 115 LM bass and added structure and complex structure for the bait fish.

In years past, we have had a lot of duckweed, this year we virtually have none. I don’t know if this lack of duck weed is due to the drought we are in or because of other things like turtles and I stocked talapia in the spring. We are relocating the turtles to a different pond in hopes of protecting the grass and the bait fish.

The other thing I think that’s affecting fish quality and fish catching is the water clarity. My next door neighbor has a pond and the visibility is much better and he has some great vegetation. I cannot fish my tank with any type of open hook or treble hook as it will be loaded with what i think is string algae.

I’m sorry this post is so long, just wanted to give you experts on the board as much info as possible!

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

Do you have pictures you could post? I'm sure one of the experts could assist you in identifying what it is and the best course of action.

Here's a very helpful resource for identifying water plants.

https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/

Thank you for the reply!

Yes, I can post a few pics tomorrow!

I’m hoping this pic will help! Like I said, you cannot throw an open hook. It’s much worse with a crankbait or bottom bait.

Here is a pic of what I was calling duckweed, I’m not really sure if that is what it is or not. But this stuff used to be all over, it’s very sparse right now. I wish I could attach a larger pic, but file size would not allow.

From the pic it does not look like DW (duckweed) but may be filamentous algae.

https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/duckweed/

Perhaps some species of Potamogeton.

Thank yall both, I’ll try and pull a piece and take a better pic!

From a distance the plant in your picture looks like American pondweed aka long leaf pond weed with the closest to shore plant probably mixed in with some of that filamentous algae.

To get your bass growing bigger follow the fish surveyor's suggestion and remove 20-30 bass per acre smaller that 10" per year. For 2.5 ac that is a total of 50-70. Depending on the abundance of BG in the pond you might have to add some 4"-6" as new brood stock to help feed the remaining bass. Growing larger 3-5lb bass takes a fair amount of management effort.

Thank you very much!

Here is a close up picture……

Looks like American pondweed to me, but I will let the experts confirm

https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/american-pondweed/