Excessive and dense vegetation is a common fish management concern in Wisconsin Lakes. Although weed harvesting is typically focused on recreational improvements little consideration was given to the consequences on fishes. That is until a study was performed to determine how close-cut harvesting can be used as a whole-lake fish management program. A conventional weed
The Iowa Great Lakes are seeing an increase in aquatic plants this season. Mike Hawkins, a Fisheries Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says those include native aquatic plant species such as coontail, sago pondweed and wild water celery, to name a few, which are extremely beneficial to a lake’s ecosystem. While it
According to Nick Brown, DNR invasive species specialist, herbicides used to treat curly-leaf pondweed on Minnesota lakes may not lead to improvements in water quality. Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive plant found throughout much of Minnesota. The plant grows slowly throughout the winter under the ice, but once the ice has left the lake the
The Department of Natural Resources has completed a Strategic Analysis of Aquatic Plant Management (APM) in Wisconsin, summarizing current information on APM and potential management alternatives. The Strategic Analysis report [PDF] will help inform decision-makers and the public about this topic and aid in the development of future APM policy. While aquatic plants are a
In the 1970’s a group of private property owners dammed the Middle Raccoon River to form Lake Panorama. When the river rises, either due to heavy rain or snow melt not only does the excess water drain into the lake, but so does the debris the rushing waters carry. The debris mostly consists of organic