Plants to support forage fish.

[seaphantom]

I live on a lake that desperately needs a food and shelter source for the bluegill and other baitfish I might introduce.

What type of water vegetation would spread quickly, maintain water oxygen, provide great cover and a source of invertebrates to feed the baitfish?

I understand that this would be ideal help for a healthy bass population as well

please, share what you can

[texasbasser]

Last month me and FF decided to throw some trees into our lake sunken by a cinderblock, since it gets to 20+ feet and no structure whatsoever.. It is now starting to get effective and I have caught many bass from it eventhough its so new. I dont know if you can spread weed-- but throwing trees in works great as structure.

[WTL]

This is a very delicate issue because of the existence of laws regarding the introduction of foreign vegetation. Be careful, you could create a bigger problem than you have now.


Now that I said that, there are a few types of vegetation I would look at. Nothing, of course, short of hyrdrilla or hyacinths will take over your water this year - and you probably dont want it to again.

Maidencane is a very benificial weed for bass, its clean, it should be native to your neck of the woods and the potential for it to become a nuisance is very low.

Bullrush is another fine water plant, although I believe it grows slower. But it produces bass and is excellent shelter for forage, not to mention it is easy to target, like maidencane.

Pads - stay away from laydown pads. Bonnets are better (pads that are raised above the surface), but they arent as good as the first 2 options.

Hydrilla - I put this on the list, but if you do it you are really playing with fire. It covers the most water and is the quickest growing and it produces lots of fish, but it really will take over.



My rec would be mostly #1, a little of #2 and depending on your preference #3 might be an option.


PS, don't do anything if you don't have rights to this lake or own it or something. Especially with hydrilla.

[hackattack]

man I got in trouble for doing that, tb. have you ever had people get pissed at you for throwing trees in?

[seaphantom]

Originally Posted by WTL

This is a very delicate issue because of the existence of laws regarding the introduction of foreign vegetation. Be careful, you could create a bigger problem than you have now.


Now that I said that, there are a few types of vegetation I would look at. Nothing, of course, short of hyrdrilla or hyacinths will take over your water this year - and you probably dont want it to again.

Maidencane is a very benificial weed for bass, its clean, it should be native to your neck of the woods and the potential for it to become a nuisance is very low.

Bullrush is another fine water plant, although I believe it grows slower. But it produces bass and is excellent shelter for forage, not to mention it is easy to target, like maidencane.

Pads - stay away from laydown pads. Bonnets are better (pads that are raised above the surface), but they arent as good as the first 2 options.

Hydrilla - I put this on the list, but if you do it you are really playing with fire. It covers the most water and is the quickest growing and it produces lots of fish, but it really will take over.



My rec would be mostly #1, a little of #2 and depending on your preference #3 might be an option.


PS, don't do anything if you don't have rights to this lake or own it or something. Especially with hydrilla.

Man you've listed some good stuff there, but I also happen to have grass carp.. almost forgot. And hydrilla would probably be kept in check w/ the carp.

I know people in bass fishing talk about weed beds, what sort of weed are those made of?

[WTL]

Hyrdilla is dangerous, probably too dangerous for you consider with grass carp.


Weedbeds can refer to a lot, but maidencane is the normal deal.

Don't know if grass carp will eat rushes or bonnets.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pl...t/aqua024.html

[texasbasser]

Originally Posted by hackattack

man I got in trouble for doing that, tb. have you ever had people get pissed at you for throwing trees in?

Not at all.. The Golf course superintendant said it was fine as long as the trees werent above water level and tied down.