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Aquatic Plant ID
They go by different names. You may call them “weeds,” “grass” or “moss.” Aquatic plants are an integral part of the Tennessee River’s ecosystem, whether providing nutrients for the species at the bottom of the food chain, cover and ambush areas for largemouth bass or food source for the multitude of local waterfowl.
This guide provides information to help you understand when these plants are most productive, where they grow and—most importantly—help you identify them. Whether you are an angler, property owner or any other lake user, we invite you to learn more about the aquatic plants present in our Tennessee Valley region reservoirs.
The guide also offers season-by-season tips for fishing among these plants.
Floating and Floating Leaf Plants
Spatterdock
The submersed portions of spatterdock (Nuphar advena – formerly N. lutea), a native plant, provide refuge for baitfish and juvenile bass. The stems of spatterdock make excellent spots for predatory species like bass.
Description
Spatterdock is a rooted, emergent perennial that grows from a spongy, creeping rootlike rhizome that can reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The leaves usually extend above the water’s surface on stout stems, they may float or become submersed in some habitats. Leaves are 8 to 16 inches long, with a prominent, thickened middle vein and a prominent V-shaped notch at the base. Their outline resembles a cow’s hoof which gives rise to another common name – cow lily. The solitary, rounded golden yellow flowers are 1 to 3 inches in diameter and have a small opening at the top that exposes a flattened disc. They have six petal-like sepals and numerous stamen-like petals.
Habitat
Spatterdock is a native plant that occurs throughout North America. It grows in ponds, slow streams and sloughs throughout the United States and is common in swamps and ditches in the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Spatterdock is easily identified by its long, notched leaves and “petal-less” yellow flower, which resembles a tennis ball. The large, spongy root system is also characteristic of spatterdock.
Where to Find It—You can find spatterdock in many near-shore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Spatterdock can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like fragrant waterlily; however, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf and often has a white or pink flower, whereas spatterdock has a much less pronounced notch with rounded lobes in an elongated leaf and round yellow flowers.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, isolated patches of freshly sprouted spatterdock can be some of the only vegetation actively growing. Fish soft plastics, chatterbaits or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps as shad and other baitfish congregate around the newly formed structure.
Summer—As the plants grow and leaves emerge from the water, they become some of the best spots for flipping on any lake. Pitch a bait at the base of each leaf, toward the large palm-like stems. This is a very common place for bass to hang out, especially on a sunny summer day when cover is paramount.
Fall—In fall, the plant will drop its seeds and begin to die back in response to colder weather. The leftover stalks and root systems of spatterdock make excellent woodlike structures over which to drop a jig or Texas-rigged worm.
Winter—Spatterdock will overwinter as a rhizome and resprout in the spring either from the rhizome or from seed. The leafy portions of spatterdock will be non-existent in winter. However, some of the root system and plant bases may stay around all winter. These spots make for great fishing with a swim jig or chatterbait.
Drawbacks
Spatterdock can sometimes cause water-use issues—especially for boating and swimming. It sometimes requires management.
Shoreline Plants
Spatterdock
The submersed portions of spatterdock (Nuphar advena – formerly N. lutea), a native plant, provide refuge for baitfish and juvenile bass. The stems of spatterdock make excellent spots for predatory species like bass.
Description
Spatterdock is a rooted, emergent perennial that grows from a spongy, creeping rootlike rhizome that can reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The leaves usually extend above the water’s surface on stout stems, they may float or become submersed in some habitats. Leaves are 8 to 16 inches long, with a prominent, thickened middle vein and a prominent V-shaped notch at the base. Their outline resembles a cow’s hoof which gives rise to another common name – cow lily. The solitary, rounded golden yellow flowers are 1 to 3 inches in diameter and have a small opening at the top that exposes a flattened disc. They have six petal-like sepals and numerous stamen-like petals.
Habitat
Spatterdock is a native plant that occurs throughout North America. It grows in ponds, slow streams and sloughs throughout the United States and is common in swamps and ditches in the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Spatterdock is easily identified by its long, notched leaves and “petal-less” yellow flower, which resembles a tennis ball. The large, spongy root system is also characteristic of spatterdock.
Where to Find It—You can find spatterdock in many near-shore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Spatterdock can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like fragrant waterlily; however, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf and often has a white or pink flower, whereas spatterdock has a much less pronounced notch with rounded lobes in an elongated leaf and round yellow flowers.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, isolated patches of freshly sprouted spatterdock can be some of the only vegetation actively growing. Fish soft plastics, chatterbaits or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps as shad and other baitfish congregate around the newly formed structure.
Summer—As the plants grow and leaves emerge from the water, they become some of the best spots for flipping on any lake. Pitch a bait at the base of each leaf, toward the large palm-like stems. This is a very common place for bass to hang out, especially on a sunny summer day when cover is paramount.
Fall—In fall, the plant will drop its seeds and begin to die back in response to colder weather. The leftover stalks and root systems of spatterdock make excellent woodlike structures over which to drop a jig or Texas-rigged worm.
Winter—Spatterdock will overwinter as a rhizome and resprout in the spring either from the rhizome or from seed. The leafy portions of spatterdock will be non-existent in winter. However, some of the root system and plant bases may stay around all winter. These spots make for great fishing with a swim jig or chatterbait.
Drawbacks
Spatterdock can sometimes cause water-use issues—especially for boating and swimming. It sometimes requires management.
Submersed Plants
Spatterdock
The submersed portions of spatterdock (Nuphar advena – formerly N. lutea), a native plant, provide refuge for baitfish and juvenile bass. The stems of spatterdock make excellent spots for predatory species like bass.
Description
Spatterdock is a rooted, emergent perennial that grows from a spongy, creeping rootlike rhizome that can reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The leaves usually extend above the water’s surface on stout stems, they may float or become submersed in some habitats. Leaves are 8 to 16 inches long, with a prominent, thickened middle vein and a prominent V-shaped notch at the base. Their outline resembles a cow’s hoof which gives rise to another common name – cow lily. The solitary, rounded golden yellow flowers are 1 to 3 inches in diameter and have a small opening at the top that exposes a flattened disc. They have six petal-like sepals and numerous stamen-like petals.
Habitat
Spatterdock is a native plant that occurs throughout North America. It grows in ponds, slow streams and sloughs throughout the United States and is common in swamps and ditches in the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Spatterdock is easily identified by its long, notched leaves and “petal-less” yellow flower, which resembles a tennis ball. The large, spongy root system is also characteristic of spatterdock.
Where to Find It—You can find spatterdock in many near-shore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Spatterdock can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like fragrant waterlily; however, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf and often has a white or pink flower, whereas spatterdock has a much less pronounced notch with rounded lobes in an elongated leaf and round yellow flowers.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, isolated patches of freshly sprouted spatterdock can be some of the only vegetation actively growing. Fish soft plastics, chatterbaits or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps as shad and other baitfish congregate around the newly formed structure.
Summer—As the plants grow and leaves emerge from the water, they become some of the best spots for flipping on any lake. Pitch a bait at the base of each leaf, toward the large palm-like stems. This is a very common place for bass to hang out, especially on a sunny summer day when cover is paramount.
Fall—In fall, the plant will drop its seeds and begin to die back in response to colder weather. The leftover stalks and root systems of spatterdock make excellent woodlike structures over which to drop a jig or Texas-rigged worm.
Winter—Spatterdock will overwinter as a rhizome and resprout in the spring either from the rhizome or from seed. The leafy portions of spatterdock will be non-existent in winter. However, some of the root system and plant bases may stay around all winter. These spots make for great fishing with a swim jig or chatterbait.
Drawbacks
Spatterdock can sometimes cause water-use issues—especially for boating and swimming. It sometimes requires management.