Milfoil in our stripper pit......help please

[mac43rn]

We have a large stripper pit on our property.  The pit is pretty large and is starting to have a problem.  Last season we started seeing milfoil all around the edges of the pit.  The pit has a natural grade 10-15 feet out and then it falls off quickly.  The pit is 30 foot deep at its deepest point, however, the milfoil is only on the natural grade.  We fished it yesterday and had a decent day but most of the fish were in deep water due to the heat.  That being said, I need to take action against this milfoil.  Spring fishing was outstanding this year and the milfoil is really not a problem during April and May.  Does anyone have any experience treating milfoil?  Any suggestions on removing the milfoil? 

Any help is greatly appreciated. 

[ottosmagic13]

Get a warm day and some friends and a bunch of snorkels. Pull that stuff up and put down a barrier to prevent it growing back. 

There might also be a company around you that offers this as a service. There are machines that do this, basically underwater rototillers. 

The pond in my parents back yard is small so we were able to just yank it all in a afternoon. 

There is also chemical eradication methods but I have no idea how that would effect the fishery. 

[WIGuide]

If I were you, I'd throw some singles at it and see what happens. haha

Joking aside, why do you want to get rid of it? It sounds like with the contours of the pond it won't grow any deeper than the drop and will provide great habitat for baitfish and gamefish alike. 

[Gundog]

38 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

If I were you, I'd throw some singles at it and see what happens. haha

Joking aside, why do you want to get rid of it? It sounds like with the contours of the pond it won't grow any deeper than the drop and will provide great habitat for baitfish and gamefish alike. 

I agree with this post. First let me say, in northeast pennsylvania there are a 100 or these stripping pits dotting the area. They are left overs from the coal mining days.Stripping pits are notorious for having low oxygen levels that limit baitfish populations. That limits the size of bass. Milfoil makes oxygen in the water and give smaller fish a place to hide from bigger fish. It also gives big fish a place to ambush bait. I wish the pits in my area had milfoil. I wouldn't have to drive an hour to get to decent fishing. If you do decide to remove the milfoil and want to go low-tech all you need is a heavy rake with a rope attached. Throw the rake out, let it sink and drag it back. 

[Jar11591]

Just curious, why do you want to remove the milfoil? A strip pit with milfoil sounds like a gold mine...

[Western-Mass-Bass]

Hi, how are you? Your from where?   Check out the introductions section. Always nice to know who your speaking with. Good luck with the milfoil. -Lee

[CNYBassin]

You ever try one of those weed cutters they sell? It looks like a giant rake, but with a razor blade instead, and you literally chuck the thing into the water, let it sink to the bottom, and then you pull it back with the rope that's attached to it, with a series of tugs to get it cutting. Bunch of companies make these things. I used one at a private lake I lived on years ago to clear out my boat dock that got over grown. Worked real well. 

 

But that said, even though milfoil is invasive, it provides very good habitat for smaller forage, and it helps produce oxygen in the summer months when it gets hot. You may want to think twice before getting rid of it. You can trim it down a bit if  you'd like but I wouldn't get rid of all of it. Your call though. 

 

 

Mine looked just like this.

[webertime]

Milfoil will spread if you get aggressive with it.  Little pieces with drift and find a new home.  I  personally wouldn't bother.  It's a good thing for those pits.  Drag some stumps into the beds and look out!

[mac43rn]

Thank you for all the responses.  Quite honestly, the biggest reason is it is a real pain in the ass to fish.  We do have have habitat areas setup.  A few downed trees help.  I will probably just let it go for awhile. 

Thanks again,

Brian Mac
Southern Indiana

[N Florida Mike]

On 8/4/2016 at 1:07 PM, CNYBassin said:

You ever try one of those weed cutters they sell? It looks like a giant rake, but with a razor blade instead, and you literally chuck the thing into the water, let it sink to the bottom, and then you pull it back with the rope that's attached to it, with a series of tugs to get it cutting. Bunch of companies make these things. I used one at a private lake I lived on years ago to clear out my boat dock that got over grown. Worked real well. 

 

But that said, even though milfoil is invasive, it provides very good habitat for smaller forage, and it helps produce oxygen in the summer months when it gets hot. You may want to think twice before getting rid of it. You can trim it down a bit if  you'd like but I wouldn't get rid of all of it. Your call though. 

 

 

Mine looked just like this.

I have an eel grass and algae issue around my dock.Think this would help,or anything else? Gonna post on a forum about it too.Thanks

[1simplemann]

Use that rake to make lanes. It'll be easier to fish plus give the bass some ambush points. Perfect places to throw a lure. win-win situation

[N Florida Mike]

Where would I get one?

[1simplemann]

9 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Where would I get one?

Just google underwater weed rake.