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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
Sago Pondweed
Native sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is among the first grass to appear in the spring. Waterfowl rely on it for food, consuming the whole plant.
Description
Sago pondweed is a submersed aquatic perennial with slender, branched stems and matted creeping rhizomes. Small tubers are often present at the terminal end of the rhizomes. Leaves are submersed, alternate, thin, grass-like, up to 4 inches long, and less than 1/8 inch wide. The base of the leaf is fused to a about 1-inch sheath that encircles the stem. The leaves appear to originate from the top of the sheath. Flowers occur in whorls on a spike at the terminal end of an up to 4-inch-long stalk. The fruiting spikes are 1 to 2 inches long and ½ inch wide. The fruit is oval, rounded on the back, and less than a ¼ inch wide.
Habitat
Sago pondweed occurs in fresh, brackish and saline ponds and streams throughout the United States. Because of its fleshy rootstock, edible tubers and abundant fruit, sago pondweed is frequently planted as food for waterfowl. In the Tennessee Valley region, it is more common in small rivers and streams than in large reservoirs.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Like other pondweeds, leaves are alternating and submersed. Sago pondweed appears “bushy” where leaves come together, almost resembling a pom-pom.
Where to Find It—Sago pondweed can be found in a variety of places. It can do well in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow areas with good current flow.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—Slender pondweed, southern naiad.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Sago pondweed will begin to emerge in late April or early May. You can find sago pondweed and fish new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig that will float just above emerging plants. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like others, sago pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to bloom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave sago pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Sago pondweed will begin dying back earlier so these mats will be some of the first to go, opening space between other plants. Look for these brown spots and fish them while other plants are still actively growing and hard to fish.
Winter—Sago pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind so there's no need to target this species during winter.
Drawbacks
Sago pondweed can grow to nuisance levels.
Shoreline Plants
Sago Pondweed
Native sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is among the first grass to appear in the spring. Waterfowl rely on it for food, consuming the whole plant.
Description
Sago pondweed is a submersed aquatic perennial with slender, branched stems and matted creeping rhizomes. Small tubers are often present at the terminal end of the rhizomes. Leaves are submersed, alternate, thin, grass-like, up to 4 inches long, and less than 1/8 inch wide. The base of the leaf is fused to a about 1-inch sheath that encircles the stem. The leaves appear to originate from the top of the sheath. Flowers occur in whorls on a spike at the terminal end of an up to 4-inch-long stalk. The fruiting spikes are 1 to 2 inches long and ½ inch wide. The fruit is oval, rounded on the back, and less than a ¼ inch wide.
Habitat
Sago pondweed occurs in fresh, brackish and saline ponds and streams throughout the United States. Because of its fleshy rootstock, edible tubers and abundant fruit, sago pondweed is frequently planted as food for waterfowl. In the Tennessee Valley region, it is more common in small rivers and streams than in large reservoirs.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Like other pondweeds, leaves are alternating and submersed. Sago pondweed appears “bushy” where leaves come together, almost resembling a pom-pom.
Where to Find It—Sago pondweed can be found in a variety of places. It can do well in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow areas with good current flow.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—Slender pondweed, southern naiad.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Sago pondweed will begin to emerge in late April or early May. You can find sago pondweed and fish new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig that will float just above emerging plants. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like others, sago pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to bloom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave sago pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Sago pondweed will begin dying back earlier so these mats will be some of the first to go, opening space between other plants. Look for these brown spots and fish them while other plants are still actively growing and hard to fish.
Winter—Sago pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind so there's no need to target this species during winter.
Drawbacks
Sago pondweed can grow to nuisance levels.
Submersed Plants
Sago Pondweed
Native sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) is among the first grass to appear in the spring. Waterfowl rely on it for food, consuming the whole plant.
Description
Sago pondweed is a submersed aquatic perennial with slender, branched stems and matted creeping rhizomes. Small tubers are often present at the terminal end of the rhizomes. Leaves are submersed, alternate, thin, grass-like, up to 4 inches long, and less than 1/8 inch wide. The base of the leaf is fused to a about 1-inch sheath that encircles the stem. The leaves appear to originate from the top of the sheath. Flowers occur in whorls on a spike at the terminal end of an up to 4-inch-long stalk. The fruiting spikes are 1 to 2 inches long and ½ inch wide. The fruit is oval, rounded on the back, and less than a ¼ inch wide.
Habitat
Sago pondweed occurs in fresh, brackish and saline ponds and streams throughout the United States. Because of its fleshy rootstock, edible tubers and abundant fruit, sago pondweed is frequently planted as food for waterfowl. In the Tennessee Valley region, it is more common in small rivers and streams than in large reservoirs.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Like other pondweeds, leaves are alternating and submersed. Sago pondweed appears “bushy” where leaves come together, almost resembling a pom-pom.
Where to Find It—Sago pondweed can be found in a variety of places. It can do well in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow areas with good current flow.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—Slender pondweed, southern naiad.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Sago pondweed will begin to emerge in late April or early May. You can find sago pondweed and fish new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig that will float just above emerging plants. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like others, sago pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to bloom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave sago pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Sago pondweed will begin dying back earlier so these mats will be some of the first to go, opening space between other plants. Look for these brown spots and fish them while other plants are still actively growing and hard to fish.
Winter—Sago pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind so there's no need to target this species during winter.
Drawbacks
Sago pondweed can grow to nuisance levels.