'%3E%3Cmask id='b' fill='%23fff'%3E%3Cuse xlink:href='%23a'/%3E%3C/mask%3E%3Cuse fill='%23414141' xlink:href='%23a'/%3E%3Cg mask='url(%23b)' fill='%23414141'%3E%3Cpath d='M-160-170h300v300h-300z'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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
Pickerelweed
As native pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) drops seed and begins to decay in fall, areas of water will start to open up around the thick stands left over from summer.
Description
Pickerelweed is a rooted emergent plant that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are up to 5 inches across and are usually around 8-10 inches long. Leaf shapes can be variable but are most commonly lance shaped. The flowers are primarily violet-blue and occur in multiples along a straight flowering spike that can reach a length of 6 inches or more. The flowering spike originates from the same stem as the leaves but will reach above them.
Habitat
Pickerelweed is native to the eastern United States and can be found along the shoreline of ponds, lakes and streams. It is often planted along shorelines as an ornamental because of its prominent purple flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. It can be found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in many reservoirs, ponds, and lakes.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Pickerelweed is easily identified by its long, oval leaves and prominent purple flower, which blooms throughout summer.
Where to Find It—Pickerelweed can be found dispersed in clumps in the back of coves and wetland areas around reservoirs.
Similar Species—Pickerelweed may resemble many shoreline species; however, its distinctive purple flower sets it apart from other species.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Pickerelweed exist mostly as rhizomes throughout early spring, but new growth can lend to edge fishing around the shoreline. Use a soft plastic senko, lizard or fluke to pitch up around actively growing plants.
Summer—As the plants begin actively growing in summer, baitfish will begin to congregate nearby, feeding off of the invertebrates present among dispersed stands of pickerelweed. Bass will be nearby to pick off such schools of baitfish, so try fishing a swimbait or shallow running crankbait.
Fall—As fall progresses, seed pods will begin to droop, releasing floating seed into the nearby water. As pickerelweed drops seed and begins to decay, areas of open water will begin to open around the thick stands left over from summer. Use a jig to pitch back into pockets formed between these stands.
Winter—Pickerelweed will exist mostly as a rhizome in winter, so targeting this species should be avoided until spring.
Drawbacks
Pickerelweed rarely causes water use issues and is seldom managed in a reservoir setting.
Shoreline Plants
Pickerelweed
As native pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) drops seed and begins to decay in fall, areas of water will start to open up around the thick stands left over from summer.
Description
Pickerelweed is a rooted emergent plant that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are up to 5 inches across and are usually around 8-10 inches long. Leaf shapes can be variable but are most commonly lance shaped. The flowers are primarily violet-blue and occur in multiples along a straight flowering spike that can reach a length of 6 inches or more. The flowering spike originates from the same stem as the leaves but will reach above them.
Habitat
Pickerelweed is native to the eastern United States and can be found along the shoreline of ponds, lakes and streams. It is often planted along shorelines as an ornamental because of its prominent purple flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. It can be found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in many reservoirs, ponds, and lakes.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Pickerelweed is easily identified by its long, oval leaves and prominent purple flower, which blooms throughout summer.
Where to Find It—Pickerelweed can be found dispersed in clumps in the back of coves and wetland areas around reservoirs.
Similar Species—Pickerelweed may resemble many shoreline species; however, its distinctive purple flower sets it apart from other species.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Pickerelweed exist mostly as rhizomes throughout early spring, but new growth can lend to edge fishing around the shoreline. Use a soft plastic senko, lizard or fluke to pitch up around actively growing plants.
Summer—As the plants begin actively growing in summer, baitfish will begin to congregate nearby, feeding off of the invertebrates present among dispersed stands of pickerelweed. Bass will be nearby to pick off such schools of baitfish, so try fishing a swimbait or shallow running crankbait.
Fall—As fall progresses, seed pods will begin to droop, releasing floating seed into the nearby water. As pickerelweed drops seed and begins to decay, areas of open water will begin to open around the thick stands left over from summer. Use a jig to pitch back into pockets formed between these stands.
Winter—Pickerelweed will exist mostly as a rhizome in winter, so targeting this species should be avoided until spring.
Drawbacks
Pickerelweed rarely causes water use issues and is seldom managed in a reservoir setting.
Submersed Plants
Pickerelweed
As native pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) drops seed and begins to decay in fall, areas of water will start to open up around the thick stands left over from summer.
Description
Pickerelweed is a rooted emergent plant that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are up to 5 inches across and are usually around 8-10 inches long. Leaf shapes can be variable but are most commonly lance shaped. The flowers are primarily violet-blue and occur in multiples along a straight flowering spike that can reach a length of 6 inches or more. The flowering spike originates from the same stem as the leaves but will reach above them.
Habitat
Pickerelweed is native to the eastern United States and can be found along the shoreline of ponds, lakes and streams. It is often planted along shorelines as an ornamental because of its prominent purple flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. It can be found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in many reservoirs, ponds, and lakes.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Pickerelweed is easily identified by its long, oval leaves and prominent purple flower, which blooms throughout summer.
Where to Find It—Pickerelweed can be found dispersed in clumps in the back of coves and wetland areas around reservoirs.
Similar Species—Pickerelweed may resemble many shoreline species; however, its distinctive purple flower sets it apart from other species.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Pickerelweed exist mostly as rhizomes throughout early spring, but new growth can lend to edge fishing around the shoreline. Use a soft plastic senko, lizard or fluke to pitch up around actively growing plants.
Summer—As the plants begin actively growing in summer, baitfish will begin to congregate nearby, feeding off of the invertebrates present among dispersed stands of pickerelweed. Bass will be nearby to pick off such schools of baitfish, so try fishing a swimbait or shallow running crankbait.
Fall—As fall progresses, seed pods will begin to droop, releasing floating seed into the nearby water. As pickerelweed drops seed and begins to decay, areas of open water will begin to open around the thick stands left over from summer. Use a jig to pitch back into pockets formed between these stands.
Winter—Pickerelweed will exist mostly as a rhizome in winter, so targeting this species should be avoided until spring.
Drawbacks
Pickerelweed rarely causes water use issues and is seldom managed in a reservoir setting.