Effects Of Poisoning Vegetation

[madbass]

Is it just me, or does fishing seem to get crappy when the DNR poisons the weeds? Two local lakes over the past couple weeks were "treated" with poison to reduce the weed growth. They claim it is to get rid of E. Milfoil. What a joke! Last I checked poison doesn't target certain species. So does anyone else feel that the poisoning has a negative effect on the fish bite?

[clayton86]

I would think it would because they just killed off all there hiding spots and ambush points not to mention oxygen producing plants in the hot summer months

[CWB]

Several poisons do indeed target certain types of aquatic weedgrowth. On our lake 2,4D is used to keep milfoil in check, but it is used in the spring and only in rotating sections of the lake. If you just randomly dump in anything, it will devastate the fishery. 2,4D does not seem to effect emergent weeds like lily pads and reeds etc. but these areas should not be treated anyway. It does not seem to harm broadleaf cabbage, a beneficial weed, either. Possibly because it grows deeper and is harder to get at. We also have 2 weed harvesters that cut the weedrowth down to 4-6 feet and pulls it up a conveyor into a container. Proper lake management is the answer. Too often the homeowners just want to destroy the weedgrowth with little concern for anything else. Being a homeowner myself, I make it a point to attend all meetings involving lake management and clearly voice my opinions. When something like you describe is going to be done there is usually some notice given as it is not safe to swim in or eat fish caught from the lake treated for a specified amount of time. Keep your eyes open for meetings and attend and get your buddies to attend. Power in numbers. If it's a private lake, you probably won't have that option.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/management/aqua028.html

[Bankbeater]

I just hope that the DNR is talking to a biologist before they start dumping weed killer into the lakes.

[CWB]

I just hope that the DNR is talking to a biologist before they start dumping weed killer into the lakes.

It should be easy enough to find out if there were studies done or recommendations made as to which weed killer or method to use. Contact the DNR. Illinois is usually behind the curve in this kind of stuff but we had 2 years worth of meetings before we came up with an agreeable solution.

They should have a plan in place to selectively remove unwanted weedgrowth in specific areas only. Not the entire body of water.

The time to voice an opinion is before it is done, not after. Not always the easiest but if you pay attention and do some research, you can usually find what the DNR is planning. If you're in a club, that's more voices to be heard.

[scrutch]

There's a local lake that USED TO BE one of my favorites until the weed killer arrived. They just treated the lake for the second time trying to kill the hydrilla. I used to be able to catch a few good healthy fish between 4 and 6 pounds once in a while. I just went there last weekend and caught about 20 fish but they all looked skinny and sick. I have NO DOUBT that this hydrilla killing job has decimated the fishery.