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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
Canadian Elodea
Canadian elodea (Elodea canadensis) emerges in early spring from overwintering buds. While this native species is not as aggressive as other plants, its growth increases in the summer.
Description
Canadian elodea is a slender, submersed, bottom-rooted aquatic perennial. Plants may be male or female. Its leaves are bright green, thin and flimsy, with inconspicuous rough edges. They may occur opposite each other but are generally in whorls of 3 on the upper and middle portions of the stems. The leaves of Canadian elodea are less than ¾ of an inch long and less than 1/8 inch wide. Canadian elodea’s flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals, are white, about ¼ inch across and grow on slender thread-like peduncles.
Habitat
Canadien elodea is native to North America and is found in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams in most of the United States. This species is common in the eastern Tennessee Valley region and can provide valuable fish habitat and cover.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Smaller, pointed leaves whorled around the stem, most often in sets of three.
Where to Find It—Canadian elodea can be hard to find in TVA reservoirs. Look for cool water springs and blue holes in the backs of creeks.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Canadian elodea resembles Brazilian elodea and hydrilla. All of them have leaves in whorls around the stem. However, Canadian elodea has three leaves per whorl, whereas hydrilla and Brazilian elodea almost always have more than three leaves per whorl.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Emerging in early spring from overwintering buds, tender Canadian elodea sprouts are perfect to target with a rattle-trap. While other plants around it are beginning to grow aggressively, Canadian elodea provides a transition zone that should not be overlooked.
Summer—Canadian elodea growth may be less noticed in southeastern reservoirs as other plants dominate. Punching and ripping through Canadian elodea is much easier to accomplish than through similar species like hydrilla and Brazilian elodea.
Fall—Canadian elodea will often be some of the first perennial species to begin to die back. Look for holes back in behind thick stands of hydrilla where the canopy has opened.
Winter—Canadian elodea will die back and rarely leave much to stick around during winter.
Drawbacks
As a native species, Canadian elodea very rarely becomes a problem in TVA reservoirs.
Shoreline Plants
Canadian Elodea
Canadian elodea (Elodea canadensis) emerges in early spring from overwintering buds. While this native species is not as aggressive as other plants, its growth increases in the summer.
Description
Canadian elodea is a slender, submersed, bottom-rooted aquatic perennial. Plants may be male or female. Its leaves are bright green, thin and flimsy, with inconspicuous rough edges. They may occur opposite each other but are generally in whorls of 3 on the upper and middle portions of the stems. The leaves of Canadian elodea are less than ¾ of an inch long and less than 1/8 inch wide. Canadian elodea’s flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals, are white, about ¼ inch across and grow on slender thread-like peduncles.
Habitat
Canadien elodea is native to North America and is found in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams in most of the United States. This species is common in the eastern Tennessee Valley region and can provide valuable fish habitat and cover.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Smaller, pointed leaves whorled around the stem, most often in sets of three.
Where to Find It—Canadian elodea can be hard to find in TVA reservoirs. Look for cool water springs and blue holes in the backs of creeks.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Canadian elodea resembles Brazilian elodea and hydrilla. All of them have leaves in whorls around the stem. However, Canadian elodea has three leaves per whorl, whereas hydrilla and Brazilian elodea almost always have more than three leaves per whorl.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Emerging in early spring from overwintering buds, tender Canadian elodea sprouts are perfect to target with a rattle-trap. While other plants around it are beginning to grow aggressively, Canadian elodea provides a transition zone that should not be overlooked.
Summer—Canadian elodea growth may be less noticed in southeastern reservoirs as other plants dominate. Punching and ripping through Canadian elodea is much easier to accomplish than through similar species like hydrilla and Brazilian elodea.
Fall—Canadian elodea will often be some of the first perennial species to begin to die back. Look for holes back in behind thick stands of hydrilla where the canopy has opened.
Winter—Canadian elodea will die back and rarely leave much to stick around during winter.
Drawbacks
As a native species, Canadian elodea very rarely becomes a problem in TVA reservoirs.
Submersed Plants
Canadian Elodea
Canadian elodea (Elodea canadensis) emerges in early spring from overwintering buds. While this native species is not as aggressive as other plants, its growth increases in the summer.
Description
Canadian elodea is a slender, submersed, bottom-rooted aquatic perennial. Plants may be male or female. Its leaves are bright green, thin and flimsy, with inconspicuous rough edges. They may occur opposite each other but are generally in whorls of 3 on the upper and middle portions of the stems. The leaves of Canadian elodea are less than ¾ of an inch long and less than 1/8 inch wide. Canadian elodea’s flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals, are white, about ¼ inch across and grow on slender thread-like peduncles.
Habitat
Canadien elodea is native to North America and is found in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams in most of the United States. This species is common in the eastern Tennessee Valley region and can provide valuable fish habitat and cover.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Smaller, pointed leaves whorled around the stem, most often in sets of three.
Where to Find It—Canadian elodea can be hard to find in TVA reservoirs. Look for cool water springs and blue holes in the backs of creeks.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Canadian elodea resembles Brazilian elodea and hydrilla. All of them have leaves in whorls around the stem. However, Canadian elodea has three leaves per whorl, whereas hydrilla and Brazilian elodea almost always have more than three leaves per whorl.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Emerging in early spring from overwintering buds, tender Canadian elodea sprouts are perfect to target with a rattle-trap. While other plants around it are beginning to grow aggressively, Canadian elodea provides a transition zone that should not be overlooked.
Summer—Canadian elodea growth may be less noticed in southeastern reservoirs as other plants dominate. Punching and ripping through Canadian elodea is much easier to accomplish than through similar species like hydrilla and Brazilian elodea.
Fall—Canadian elodea will often be some of the first perennial species to begin to die back. Look for holes back in behind thick stands of hydrilla where the canopy has opened.
Winter—Canadian elodea will die back and rarely leave much to stick around during winter.
Drawbacks
As a native species, Canadian elodea very rarely becomes a problem in TVA reservoirs.