Water-Willow

Description

Water-willow is an emergent perennial herb that spreads by rhizomes and has slightly ribbed, smooth, unbranched stems up to 3 feet tall. Leaves are opposite along the stems and smooth, narrow and tapered at each end. They attach directly, or by a short stalk, to the stem. Orchid-like flowers occur in short, dense spikes at the end of a slender stalk that rises from the leaf axil. The short calyx tube has five lobes. The petals are purple to white and frequently spotted. Each flower has two lips. The upper lip is notched, and the lower lip is 3-lobed.

Habitat

Water-willow forms dense colonies along rocky or sandy stream beds and shorelines throughout eastern North America. It is one of the most common aquatic emergent plants in streams and reservoirs in the Tennessee Valley region.

Identifying Features

What It Looks Like—Leaves are opposing around the stem and flowers are bi-colored in violet and white.

Where to Find It—Water-willow can grow in a wide range of sediment along the shoreline, often stretching out as deep as five feet of water. Water-willow will grow within very rocky substrate.

Max Depth—0 to 5 feet

Similar Species—Water-willow may resemble other shoreline species but is widespread and much more common than most.

Seasonal Fishing Techniques

Spring—Native water-willow emerges from seed and from previously existing underground roots (rhizomes) in early spring. Newly emerging water-willow creates excellent vertical structure for fast rolling a spinnerbait or fishing a fluke or senko.

Summer—Water-willow rapidly expands through rhizomes. The plants will begin to produce a white and violet flower in early summer and will continue to flower through fall. As stands become thicker, invertebrates and baitfish will congregate in the vertical structure of water-willow. Fish a shallow crankbait or swimbait around edges and in shoreline pockets of water-willow. Transitions between water-willow and other species or structure are also productive.

Fall—Plants will begin to die back and drop seeds into the water column in fall. Fishing edges and pockets will remain productive through fall. Run a buzzbait parallel to the edge formed by water-willow or work a spinner bait back into water willow stands.

Winter—Very little water-willow will be present in winter, so targeting this species should be avoided until spring.

Drawbacks

Water-willow has caused some issues with water use and management is sometimes needed.