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Angler's Aquatic Plant ID
Want to be a better fisherman? Learn smart, season-based strategies for fishing the “weeds.”
Across the country, they go by different names. Valley anglers often refer to them collectively as “weeds,” “grass,” or “moss.” Whatever you call them, 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, or cover and ambush areas for largemouth bass.
While many aquatic plants look the same, understanding the differences can make you a better bass fisherman. Whether you prefer to punch a jig, burn a lipless crankbait or fish a frog, this guide to aquatic plants in the Tennessee Valley can help you be the best angler you can be.
Developed by fishermen for fishermen, this guide gives you all the information you need to understand when these plants are most productive, where they grow and—most importantly—how to fish them. Whether you are a seasoned tournament angler, weekend warrior or new to fishing altogether, we invite you to learn more about aquatic plants and improve your catch.
Floating and Floating Leaf Plants
Watershield, Dollar Bonnet, Snot Bonnet
As watershield (Brasenia schreberi) forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Plants will begin to grow from existing root system in late spring, sending up slime-covered leaves which will eventually make their way to the water’s surface. Newly emerging stems and leaves provide great fishing opportunities. Burn a swimbait over top and through new growth or work a swim jig up and down through newly formed vertical stems. Make sure baits are weedless, as stems are thick and unforgiving of exposed hooks.
Summer—Watershield will spread via stolons running along the bottom, sending up more and more gelatinous covered stems and leaves. Watershield will also begin to flower in summer and produce seed. As watershield forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Fall—After creating large colonies during late summer and early fall, watershield will begin to die back to stolons during the late fall. Watershield makes for a great topwater bite in the fall. Fish a frog over and around the floating leaves of the plant.
Winter—Watershield will overwinter and sprout again from existing structures in the spring. Watershield will be gone by early winter, so targeting the plant during this time is not recommended.
Habitat Value
Fish—The floating leaves of this plant provide perfect refuge for invertebrates and amphibians, a favorite food for juvenile and adult bass. The open nature of the understory and vertical stems of the plant make excellent refuge cover for juvenile fish as well as ambush opportunity for adults.
Waterfowl—Watershield can provide habitat for invertebrates, which in turn are eaten by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What it Looks Like—Watershield is easily identified by the “snot” covering its stems and leaves. Leaves are only a few inches in diameter and oval in shape.
Where to Find It—Watershield can be found growing nearshore in mucky bottom, often by itself or with other floating species like water lily or lotus.
Similar Species—Watershield can look similar to younger water lily plants, however watershield leaves have no notches whereas water lily often has a single, pie-slice notch in each leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, watershield can become a nuisance causing some impacts to water use, especially around boat ramps and swim areas. Sometimes management is necessary in these areas to open up access. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.
Shoreline Plants
Watershield, Dollar Bonnet, Snot Bonnet
As watershield (Brasenia schreberi) forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Plants will begin to grow from existing root system in late spring, sending up slime-covered leaves which will eventually make their way to the water’s surface. Newly emerging stems and leaves provide great fishing opportunities. Burn a swimbait over top and through new growth or work a swim jig up and down through newly formed vertical stems. Make sure baits are weedless, as stems are thick and unforgiving of exposed hooks.
Summer—Watershield will spread via stolons running along the bottom, sending up more and more gelatinous covered stems and leaves. Watershield will also begin to flower in summer and produce seed. As watershield forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Fall—After creating large colonies during late summer and early fall, watershield will begin to die back to stolons during the late fall. Watershield makes for a great topwater bite in the fall. Fish a frog over and around the floating leaves of the plant.
Winter—Watershield will overwinter and sprout again from existing structures in the spring. Watershield will be gone by early winter, so targeting the plant during this time is not recommended.
Habitat Value
Fish—The floating leaves of this plant provide perfect refuge for invertebrates and amphibians, a favorite food for juvenile and adult bass. The open nature of the understory and vertical stems of the plant make excellent refuge cover for juvenile fish as well as ambush opportunity for adults.
Waterfowl—Watershield can provide habitat for invertebrates, which in turn are eaten by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What it Looks Like—Watershield is easily identified by the “snot” covering its stems and leaves. Leaves are only a few inches in diameter and oval in shape.
Where to Find It—Watershield can be found growing nearshore in mucky bottom, often by itself or with other floating species like water lily or lotus.
Similar Species—Watershield can look similar to younger water lily plants, however watershield leaves have no notches whereas water lily often has a single, pie-slice notch in each leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, watershield can become a nuisance causing some impacts to water use, especially around boat ramps and swim areas. Sometimes management is necessary in these areas to open up access. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.
Submersed Plants
Watershield, Dollar Bonnet, Snot Bonnet
As watershield (Brasenia schreberi) forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Seasonal Techniques
Spring—Plants will begin to grow from existing root system in late spring, sending up slime-covered leaves which will eventually make their way to the water’s surface. Newly emerging stems and leaves provide great fishing opportunities. Burn a swimbait over top and through new growth or work a swim jig up and down through newly formed vertical stems. Make sure baits are weedless, as stems are thick and unforgiving of exposed hooks.
Summer—Watershield will spread via stolons running along the bottom, sending up more and more gelatinous covered stems and leaves. Watershield will also begin to flower in summer and produce seed. As watershield forms surface leaves, fishing the edge is recommended with stickbaits or texas rigged worms. An open understory often exists under the plants and holes in the canopy make it easy to get flipping baits down in the sweet spot.
Fall—After creating large colonies during late summer and early fall, watershield will begin to die back to stolons during the late fall. Watershield makes for a great topwater bite in the fall. Fish a frog over and around the floating leaves of the plant.
Winter—Watershield will overwinter and sprout again from existing structures in the spring. Watershield will be gone by early winter, so targeting the plant during this time is not recommended.
Habitat Value
Fish—The floating leaves of this plant provide perfect refuge for invertebrates and amphibians, a favorite food for juvenile and adult bass. The open nature of the understory and vertical stems of the plant make excellent refuge cover for juvenile fish as well as ambush opportunity for adults.
Waterfowl—Watershield can provide habitat for invertebrates, which in turn are eaten by waterfowl.
Identifying Features
What it Looks Like—Watershield is easily identified by the “snot” covering its stems and leaves. Leaves are only a few inches in diameter and oval in shape.
Where to Find It—Watershield can be found growing nearshore in mucky bottom, often by itself or with other floating species like water lily or lotus.
Similar Species—Watershield can look similar to younger water lily plants, however watershield leaves have no notches whereas water lily often has a single, pie-slice notch in each leaf.
Drawbacks
Although native, watershield can become a nuisance causing some impacts to water use, especially around boat ramps and swim areas. Sometimes management is necessary in these areas to open up access. Cost to manage: $$$ out of $$$$$.