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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
Slender Pondweed
Slender pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), a native plant, will begin dying back early in fall, opening up space between other plants.
Description
Slender pondweed is a submersed aquatic with slender and numerously branched stems. The leaves are alternate, narrow, linear, from ½ to 3 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The leaves are not fused with the thin sheath that encircles the stem during the early stages of growth. The flowers occur as short spikes at the terminal end of a slender stalk about 3 inches long that rises from the leaf axil. The flowering spike is from 1 to 5 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The fruit is plump, rounded on the back, and about 1/8 inch long.
Habitat
Slender pondweed is found in ponds, lakes and ditches throughout the United States. It occurs in several large reservoirs in the Tennessee Valley region. It forms large colonies in shallow water and occurs in pure stands or mixed with naiads and muskgrass.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Leaves are alternating, submersed and very slender. The plant often appears brown-green compared to other species.
Where to Find It—Slender pondweed can be found in a variety of places. This plan dominates in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow, calm waters.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—N/A
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Slender pondweed will begin to emerge in late April/early May. Seek out slender pondweed and fish the new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like other plants, slender pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to blossom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave slender pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Slender pondweed will begin dying back early and 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—Slender pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
Slender pondweed impacts water use in some areas.
Shoreline Plants
Slender Pondweed
Slender pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), a native plant, will begin dying back early in fall, opening up space between other plants.
Description
Slender pondweed is a submersed aquatic with slender and numerously branched stems. The leaves are alternate, narrow, linear, from ½ to 3 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The leaves are not fused with the thin sheath that encircles the stem during the early stages of growth. The flowers occur as short spikes at the terminal end of a slender stalk about 3 inches long that rises from the leaf axil. The flowering spike is from 1 to 5 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The fruit is plump, rounded on the back, and about 1/8 inch long.
Habitat
Slender pondweed is found in ponds, lakes and ditches throughout the United States. It occurs in several large reservoirs in the Tennessee Valley region. It forms large colonies in shallow water and occurs in pure stands or mixed with naiads and muskgrass.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Leaves are alternating, submersed and very slender. The plant often appears brown-green compared to other species.
Where to Find It—Slender pondweed can be found in a variety of places. This plan dominates in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow, calm waters.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—N/A
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Slender pondweed will begin to emerge in late April/early May. Seek out slender pondweed and fish the new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like other plants, slender pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to blossom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave slender pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Slender pondweed will begin dying back early and 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—Slender pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
Slender pondweed impacts water use in some areas.
Submersed Plants
Slender Pondweed
Slender pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus), a native plant, will begin dying back early in fall, opening up space between other plants.
Description
Slender pondweed is a submersed aquatic with slender and numerously branched stems. The leaves are alternate, narrow, linear, from ½ to 3 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The leaves are not fused with the thin sheath that encircles the stem during the early stages of growth. The flowers occur as short spikes at the terminal end of a slender stalk about 3 inches long that rises from the leaf axil. The flowering spike is from 1 to 5 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide. The fruit is plump, rounded on the back, and about 1/8 inch long.
Habitat
Slender pondweed is found in ponds, lakes and ditches throughout the United States. It occurs in several large reservoirs in the Tennessee Valley region. It forms large colonies in shallow water and occurs in pure stands or mixed with naiads and muskgrass.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Leaves are alternating, submersed and very slender. The plant often appears brown-green compared to other species.
Where to Find It—Slender pondweed can be found in a variety of places. This plan dominates in areas where invasive plants like hydrilla and milfoil aren’t present. Look in shallow, calm waters.
Max Depth—6 feet
Similar Species—N/A
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—Slender pondweed will begin to emerge in late April/early May. Seek out slender pondweed and fish the new, growing plants before other plants have sprouted. Try a rattle-trap, big swim bait or Carolina rig. These plants grow in clumps, so fishing open areas between plants is a good bet.
Summer—Like other plants, slender pondweed will increase growth and begin to top out during summer. Reaching the surface, the plant will begin to flower and continue to blossom through fall. The brittle nature of the plant makes punching easy.
Fall—Competition for space with invasive plants will leave slender pondweed confined to shallow depths and areas void of other species. Slender pondweed will begin dying back early and 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—Slender pondweed will die completely back, leaving only seed behind.
Drawbacks
Slender pondweed impacts water use in some areas.