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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
Fanwort
In fall, native fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) mats seem to persist longer than those of native annuals like slender pondweed and southern naiad.
Description
Fanwort is a perennial submersed aquatic plant rooted in the bottom sediment. The submersed leaves are opposite, fan-shaped, finely divided with as many as 200 terminal points on a single leaf. The color ranges from green to red. Leaves can vary in size but are smaller and closer together toward the tip of the plant. Flowering occurs on the surface of the water on stems with floating leaves. The floating leaves are different from the submersed leaves: alternate, smooth and ovate. The flowers are small white flowers with three sepals and three petals on stems reaching slightly above the water surface.
Habitat
Fanwort is a native plant to North America, but several invasive species of Cabomba have been introduced recently through the aquarium trade. Most populations in the Tennessee Valley region are assumed to be the native variety, although the species are very similar.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fan-shaped, oppositely oriented leaves make identification of Fanwort quite easy. The native, less aggressive biotype is said to be tinged red, whereas the invasive biotype is red only on the underside of each leaf. An “aquarium” biotype also exists, exhibiting only green leaves.
Max Depth—10 feet
Where to Find It—Fanwort is usually found in clear water upstream areas with low pH.
Similar Species— Fanwort may appear similar to milfoil; however, fanwort leaves are opposing while milfoil leaves are whorled around the stem.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—A submersed perennial, invasive cabomba sprouts from seed or overwintering portions in the late spring. Newly emerging cabomba will create vertical, open structure to be fished with swimbaits, crankbaits and Carolina rigs.
Summer—Grows rapidly throughout summer, forming dense, impenetrable colonies. Heavy punch baits are required to get below this species. Otherwise, fish the outside edge as this plant doesn’t grow much deeper than 5 feet.
Fall—Growth slows after flowering and seed production is initiated. Cabomba mats persist longer than those of native annuals, providing a refuge for fall baitfish. This makes cabomba colonies a prime location for picking off schooling fall bass.
Winter—Little visible cabomba will be present in winter; however, some stems may persist along the bottom. Try fishing small, dying clumps of cabomba with a jig.
Drawbacks
Fanwort can impact water use in some areas and is difficult to control.
Shoreline Plants
Fanwort
In fall, native fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) mats seem to persist longer than those of native annuals like slender pondweed and southern naiad.
Description
Fanwort is a perennial submersed aquatic plant rooted in the bottom sediment. The submersed leaves are opposite, fan-shaped, finely divided with as many as 200 terminal points on a single leaf. The color ranges from green to red. Leaves can vary in size but are smaller and closer together toward the tip of the plant. Flowering occurs on the surface of the water on stems with floating leaves. The floating leaves are different from the submersed leaves: alternate, smooth and ovate. The flowers are small white flowers with three sepals and three petals on stems reaching slightly above the water surface.
Habitat
Fanwort is a native plant to North America, but several invasive species of Cabomba have been introduced recently through the aquarium trade. Most populations in the Tennessee Valley region are assumed to be the native variety, although the species are very similar.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fan-shaped, oppositely oriented leaves make identification of Fanwort quite easy. The native, less aggressive biotype is said to be tinged red, whereas the invasive biotype is red only on the underside of each leaf. An “aquarium” biotype also exists, exhibiting only green leaves.
Max Depth—10 feet
Where to Find It—Fanwort is usually found in clear water upstream areas with low pH.
Similar Species— Fanwort may appear similar to milfoil; however, fanwort leaves are opposing while milfoil leaves are whorled around the stem.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—A submersed perennial, invasive cabomba sprouts from seed or overwintering portions in the late spring. Newly emerging cabomba will create vertical, open structure to be fished with swimbaits, crankbaits and Carolina rigs.
Summer—Grows rapidly throughout summer, forming dense, impenetrable colonies. Heavy punch baits are required to get below this species. Otherwise, fish the outside edge as this plant doesn’t grow much deeper than 5 feet.
Fall—Growth slows after flowering and seed production is initiated. Cabomba mats persist longer than those of native annuals, providing a refuge for fall baitfish. This makes cabomba colonies a prime location for picking off schooling fall bass.
Winter—Little visible cabomba will be present in winter; however, some stems may persist along the bottom. Try fishing small, dying clumps of cabomba with a jig.
Drawbacks
Fanwort can impact water use in some areas and is difficult to control.
Submersed Plants
Fanwort
In fall, native fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) mats seem to persist longer than those of native annuals like slender pondweed and southern naiad.
Description
Fanwort is a perennial submersed aquatic plant rooted in the bottom sediment. The submersed leaves are opposite, fan-shaped, finely divided with as many as 200 terminal points on a single leaf. The color ranges from green to red. Leaves can vary in size but are smaller and closer together toward the tip of the plant. Flowering occurs on the surface of the water on stems with floating leaves. The floating leaves are different from the submersed leaves: alternate, smooth and ovate. The flowers are small white flowers with three sepals and three petals on stems reaching slightly above the water surface.
Habitat
Fanwort is a native plant to North America, but several invasive species of Cabomba have been introduced recently through the aquarium trade. Most populations in the Tennessee Valley region are assumed to be the native variety, although the species are very similar.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fan-shaped, oppositely oriented leaves make identification of Fanwort quite easy. The native, less aggressive biotype is said to be tinged red, whereas the invasive biotype is red only on the underside of each leaf. An “aquarium” biotype also exists, exhibiting only green leaves.
Max Depth—10 feet
Where to Find It—Fanwort is usually found in clear water upstream areas with low pH.
Similar Species— Fanwort may appear similar to milfoil; however, fanwort leaves are opposing while milfoil leaves are whorled around the stem.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—A submersed perennial, invasive cabomba sprouts from seed or overwintering portions in the late spring. Newly emerging cabomba will create vertical, open structure to be fished with swimbaits, crankbaits and Carolina rigs.
Summer—Grows rapidly throughout summer, forming dense, impenetrable colonies. Heavy punch baits are required to get below this species. Otherwise, fish the outside edge as this plant doesn’t grow much deeper than 5 feet.
Fall—Growth slows after flowering and seed production is initiated. Cabomba mats persist longer than those of native annuals, providing a refuge for fall baitfish. This makes cabomba colonies a prime location for picking off schooling fall bass.
Winter—Little visible cabomba will be present in winter; however, some stems may persist along the bottom. Try fishing small, dying clumps of cabomba with a jig.
Drawbacks
Fanwort can impact water use in some areas and is difficult to control.