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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
American Pondweed
American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus) is among the first grass to emerge from waterways, popping up in late April and early May. Waterfowl enjoy eating seeds from the native plant, but dense growth can impact water use.
Description
American pondweed is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial which has waxy, floating leaves 2- to 5 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide on a leaf stalk up to 5 inches long. It also has alternate, long, narrow, submersed leaves up to 12 inches long and from ¼ to 1 inch wide on 5-inch leaf stalks. This plant has an emergent cylindrical flowering spike that is 2 to 3 inches long at the terminal end of a stout stalk that rises from the leaf axil. The fruit is about ¼ inch long with an oval shape, a sharp, narrow keel and a blunt beak.
Habitat
American pondweed is native and found throughout the United States. Colonies form patches that cover areas ranging from a few square feet to several acres that can hinder small boat navigation and water sports. However, the plant provides desirable habitat for fish and food for waterfowl. It occurs in ponds and reservoirs throughout the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—3- to 5-inch floating alternate leaves and long slender submersed leaves. Leaves are willow shaped.
Where to Find It—American pondweed can be found in a variety of places. In areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present, this plant dominates. Look in shallow, calm water areas. Pondweeds often grow as patchy clumps among hydrilla and milfoil. Look for floating leaves.
Max Depth—8 feet
Similar Species—The leaves of American pondweed are often larger than its submersed relatives.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Try fishing new, growing plants using rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Reaching the surface, these plants will begin to grow floating leaves and flower in late summer. Unlike the submersed pondweeds, floating leaf pondweeds will form large, floating leaves which can be effectively fished with topwater and punch baits.
Fall—Pondweeds will continue to grow through early fall until seed production is complete. Once flowering has ended, the plants will begin to brown and die back by late fall. Fish topped out pondweeds in the fall like you would other floating plants. Work a big rat through floating leaves or work a creature bait in holes within the plants' understory.
Winter—Floating leaf pondweeds will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
American pondweed can impact water use in some areas.
Shoreline Plants
American Pondweed
American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus) is among the first grass to emerge from waterways, popping up in late April and early May. Waterfowl enjoy eating seeds from the native plant, but dense growth can impact water use.
Description
American pondweed is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial which has waxy, floating leaves 2- to 5 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide on a leaf stalk up to 5 inches long. It also has alternate, long, narrow, submersed leaves up to 12 inches long and from ¼ to 1 inch wide on 5-inch leaf stalks. This plant has an emergent cylindrical flowering spike that is 2 to 3 inches long at the terminal end of a stout stalk that rises from the leaf axil. The fruit is about ¼ inch long with an oval shape, a sharp, narrow keel and a blunt beak.
Habitat
American pondweed is native and found throughout the United States. Colonies form patches that cover areas ranging from a few square feet to several acres that can hinder small boat navigation and water sports. However, the plant provides desirable habitat for fish and food for waterfowl. It occurs in ponds and reservoirs throughout the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—3- to 5-inch floating alternate leaves and long slender submersed leaves. Leaves are willow shaped.
Where to Find It—American pondweed can be found in a variety of places. In areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present, this plant dominates. Look in shallow, calm water areas. Pondweeds often grow as patchy clumps among hydrilla and milfoil. Look for floating leaves.
Max Depth—8 feet
Similar Species—The leaves of American pondweed are often larger than its submersed relatives.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Try fishing new, growing plants using rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Reaching the surface, these plants will begin to grow floating leaves and flower in late summer. Unlike the submersed pondweeds, floating leaf pondweeds will form large, floating leaves which can be effectively fished with topwater and punch baits.
Fall—Pondweeds will continue to grow through early fall until seed production is complete. Once flowering has ended, the plants will begin to brown and die back by late fall. Fish topped out pondweeds in the fall like you would other floating plants. Work a big rat through floating leaves or work a creature bait in holes within the plants' understory.
Winter—Floating leaf pondweeds will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
American pondweed can impact water use in some areas.
Submersed Plants
American Pondweed
American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus) is among the first grass to emerge from waterways, popping up in late April and early May. Waterfowl enjoy eating seeds from the native plant, but dense growth can impact water use.
Description
American pondweed is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial which has waxy, floating leaves 2- to 5 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide on a leaf stalk up to 5 inches long. It also has alternate, long, narrow, submersed leaves up to 12 inches long and from ¼ to 1 inch wide on 5-inch leaf stalks. This plant has an emergent cylindrical flowering spike that is 2 to 3 inches long at the terminal end of a stout stalk that rises from the leaf axil. The fruit is about ¼ inch long with an oval shape, a sharp, narrow keel and a blunt beak.
Habitat
American pondweed is native and found throughout the United States. Colonies form patches that cover areas ranging from a few square feet to several acres that can hinder small boat navigation and water sports. However, the plant provides desirable habitat for fish and food for waterfowl. It occurs in ponds and reservoirs throughout the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—3- to 5-inch floating alternate leaves and long slender submersed leaves. Leaves are willow shaped.
Where to Find It—American pondweed can be found in a variety of places. In areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present, this plant dominates. Look in shallow, calm water areas. Pondweeds often grow as patchy clumps among hydrilla and milfoil. Look for floating leaves.
Max Depth—8 feet
Similar Species—The leaves of American pondweed are often larger than its submersed relatives.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Try fishing new, growing plants using rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Reaching the surface, these plants will begin to grow floating leaves and flower in late summer. Unlike the submersed pondweeds, floating leaf pondweeds will form large, floating leaves which can be effectively fished with topwater and punch baits.
Fall—Pondweeds will continue to grow through early fall until seed production is complete. Once flowering has ended, the plants will begin to brown and die back by late fall. Fish topped out pondweeds in the fall like you would other floating plants. Work a big rat through floating leaves or work a creature bait in holes within the plants' understory.
Winter—Floating leaf pondweeds will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
American pondweed can impact water use in some areas.