Manage Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation by Stocking Triploid Grass Carp

SOLitude Lake Management has been very active in the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in an effort to help our clients comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations. These regulations require Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to be considered, where applicable, as part of a lake or pond management plan. One of the most environmentally friendly tools available to assist in the Integrated Pest Management requirement for those who have a history of continued undesirable submersed aquatic vegetation growth is to maintain an appropriate population of triploid grass carp in their lake or pond.

Triploid grass carp are an excellent IPM tool that should be considered for any such site as a natural way to help with controlling invasive species, reducing the amount of aquatic herbicides required each year to maintain the lakes and ponds properly. These grass carp are sterile and are produced in only a handful of fish hatcheries across the country due to strict regulation by the federal government. Triploid grass carp spend most of their lives feeding on submersed vegetation. Grass carp are great in many ways, but are unable to control algae or floating species of vegetation. They also prefer soft plants over woody plants. These limitations keep them from becoming the only solution for pond weed management, but, as an additional option for providing an environmentally sound approach, they are a perfect match with a current sustainable lake and pond management program. They will also help you to further comply with the new IPM requirements.

Grass Carp range from 8-12 inches in length when stocked, which helps them to avoid being eaten by predators. The expense associated with this stocking is not something that will likely be required on an annual basis. Once stocked, it is typically only necessary to replenish their population through future fish stocking every 3-5 years, depending on the individual site conditions.

Please note that triploid grass carp cannot be legally stocked in certain states. If you are considering stocking sterile grass carp to help control nuisance submersed aquatic vegetation in your lake or pond, contact a pond managment professional. If you have any questions regarding NPDES, IPM, or about lake and pond management strategies in general, please contact our office at 1-888-480-LAKE(5253).

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Since 1998, SOLitude Lake Management has been committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Services are available throughout the Eastern United States. Fisheries management consulting and aquatic products are available nationwide. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.

Contact the experts at 888-480-5253 for all of your lake, pond and fisheries management needs.