Hydrilla Balance Key to Healthy Bass Fisheries in TVA Lakes

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:01:30 +0000

One of the consequences of extended flooding and muddy water in the Tennessee Valley Authority lakes stretching across north Alabama is the decimation of underwater vegetation, changing the areas where bait and bass gather.

Too much hydrilla and milfoil – both invasive species – is obviously a bad thing for boaters, anglers and fish because the stuff becomes so thick in some areas that no fish over 6 inches long can even navigate through it. But the right amount of weed cover is what makes a bass lake in the southeastern United States.

Florida’s Game & Fish Commission did a study a few years back and found lakes with about 10 to 20 percent hydrilla coverage produced more and bigger bass than those without it, or those with more than these percentages.

Read More at https://www.al.com/outdoors/2019/03/underwater-vegetation-likely-to-take-a-hit-this-spring-on-tva-lakes.html

Aquatic Weed Growth in Wheeler Reservoir Creates Mixed Reactions

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 21:09:55 +0000

A recent increase in aquatic vegetation in Wheeler Reservoir in Alabama has anglers smiling, but local skiers, pleasure boaters and homeowners see the weeds as a menace.

Tennessee Valley Authority officials said they are hearing lots of complaints from homeowners and boaters about the hydrilla, eel grass, star grass and milfoil up and down the river. However, their focus is on maintaining access to the lake at ramps and developed recreation areas.

An aquatic weed harvester is used to to cut channels in the weeds on the water, to get in and out of these public access areas, but eradicating the aquatic plants can negatively affect the health of the waterway and impact the local economy.

Tennessee Valley Authority lakes – Aquarius-Systems

Hydrilla Balance Key to Healthy Bass Fisheries in TVA Lakes

Aquatic Weed Growth in Wheeler Reservoir Creates Mixed Reactions