How is the Vegitation Plan going?

[gdelmoro]

Anyone know what happened with the vegetation? Last I saw Grass Carp were introduced and wiped out invasive and Native vegetation. Has that changed? Are Native plants coming back? If so, where is it doing better Roanoke, Blackwater? 

[tblspoon]

I have yet to see ANY vegetation anywhere.

[mwardncsu]

very small patches of grass in a few coves here and there.......

[Red Bear]

i wish there were some lily pads around SML, and some grass beds as well as grassy shorelines, cattails, and all that stuff. it certainly would make bass fishing a bit more interesting instead of just casting at docks/shorelines and structure fishing...

[mwardncsu]

Aug 24, 2016 8:09:19 GMT -5 Red Bear said:

i wish there were some lily pads around SML, and some grass beds as well as grassy shorelines, cattails, and all that stuff. it certainly would make bass fishing a bit more interesting instead of just casting at docks/shorelines and structure fishing...

But homeowners would object......

I've been told multiple times how stripers don't really benefit from grass/structure, though I'd think when initially stocked there is benefit - and I know the largemouth and other species do - and just seems beneficial for the overall ecosystem - I'm not talking about a grass mat covered lake, but certain coves/areas of shoreline could clearly benefit from grasses for the good of the overall...

Now, I'm a property owner on the lake, and I can understand concern of shallow coves being chocked in with vegetation so thick that you can't get boats in and out of, or swim around your docks - and non-native aggressive weeds like hydrilla can become a problem - but there clearly is a balance. The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) is the driver behind the vegetation program and the introduction of the grass carp (and previously spraying). My guess is there is not a sufficient balanced voice to represent the angler concerns re: vegetation (or lack thereof) and it's impact on the fisheries vs. that soley of property owners with SMLA. I'm guilty of not having participated in their meetings so I honestly can't say - but my guess is as most things like this you if don't get involved in the bodies that are driving action then you're not going to have a voice and then don't have a place , and perhaps a right, to complain about the outcome.....

[Red Bear]

Aug 24, 2016 9:25:16 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

Aug 24, 2016 8:09:19 GMT -5 Red Bear said:

i wish there were some lily pads around SML, and some grass beds as well as grassy shorelines, cattails, and all that stuff. it certainly would make bass fishing a bit more interesting instead of just casting at docks/shorelines and structure fishing...

But homeowners would object......

I've been told multiple times how stripers don't really benefit from grass/structure, though I'd think when initially stocked there is benefit - and I know the largemouth and other species do - and just seems beneficial for the overall ecosystem - I'm not talking about a grass mat covered lake, but certain coves/areas of shoreline could clearly benefit from grasses for the good of the overall...

Now, I'm a property owner on the lake, and I can understand concern of shallow coves being chocked in with vegetation so thick that you can't get boats in and out of, or swim around your docks - and non-native aggressive weeds like hydrilla can become a problem - but there clearly is a balance. The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) is the driver behind the vegetation program and the introduction of the grass carp (and previously spraying). My guess is there is not a sufficient balanced voice to represent the angler concerns re: vegetation (or lack thereof) and it's impact on the fisheries vs. that soley of property owners with SMLA. I'm guilty of not having participated in their meetings so I honestly can't say - but my guess is as most things like this you if don't get involved in the bodies that are driving action then you're not going to have a voice and then don't have a place , and perhaps a right, to complain about the outcome.....

i agree with what youre saying, cant really dispute any of it. but it still would be nice. I'm not a homeowner on the lake, my aunt and uncle are but cant see either of them spending the time and getting involved with something like vegetation on the lake, especially since they are only down there a few times a year. when the water was real low a couple times i thought about adding some vegetation myself, but then thought about how its probably illegal and never actually did it...i just hope the grass carp they added are sterile and not capable of reproducing in the lake...

[gdelmoro]

So I wrote to SMLASSOC and got the following.
Mr. Del Moro,

My name is Bob Camicia, and I have been involved with various aspects of SML since shortly after moving here in 2001. I am currently co-chairman of the Lake Council of SMLA and oversee our activities associated with various weeds growing in SML. When I first received your initial email, I thought that it was an easy question to answer, yes we have a program that we are starting to help improve habitat for fish.
I then thought that I should cross-check the issue of habitat, including restoring native veg habitat, with some long-time black bass fishermen on the lake. I have just been looking at the issue more from a habitat standpoint vs a fishery standpoint and thought something more may be going on here. I still have not been able to connect with Scott Smith the VDGIF biologist for the region, exchanging calls, but I was given several interesting inputs by the longtime local bass fishermen;

- SML has always been almost a "bathtub lake" in that it never had much native or other vegitation until hydrilla started to arrive in 2007 on the Blackwater arm. That was often repeated by Bud Laroche (Spelling ) the now retired VDGIF biologist. It was looked upon by the fishermen as primarily a structure fishing lake, with very little veg cover.

- As you have confirmed, fishing was better back then, in the 80s and 90s. More fish, and larger fish, according to them.

- One fisherman just confirmed that he fishes above R-50 on the Roanoke arm where there hasn't been any native or non-native weeds present for many many years, but he had just caught his regular 6 - 8 large bass before returning them all to the water. He also says that something else is going on in the lake, and has been since the 1990's. He gave me his theory, but I'll check that with the biologist.
These inputs tell me that we certainly should continue with plans for introducing and spreading habitat including native veg. around the lake. But it also tells me that the current grass carp that were put into the lake 3 years ago via with VDGIF's review and approval, nor the 5 years of limited spot spraying of hydrilla are not the reasons for the falloff in fish populations. Something is going on, and we will pursue it with the people who look after fish populations on the lake, VDGIF, since we are water specialists, not fishing specialists. Any inputs that you may have are certainly appreciated.
This in no way means that SMLA is going to stop trying to introduce more habitat into the lake, but this issue of the fishery changing is something that we need a lot of groups working on. Since you are a fisherman here, maybe you can help me with some contacts. We are looking for other groups who have habitat programs up and working, but can only find AEP, the power company, as one who has had some activity. If you know of any fishing clubs etc, I'd love to work with them.

Thanks for your inputs to us.
Bob Camicia, Co-Chairman of SMLA Lake Council

[mwardncsu]

Please pass along my email, representing the Smith Mountain Striper Club to Bob. I'll also try and reach out to him directly.

[johnr]

Vegetation Plan:

1. Remove all grass carp

2. Get wild celery (Vallisneria americana) tubers and plants ($350 / 1000 tubers)

3. Plant wild celery in muddy bottomed, moderately shallow (3') areas of coves in the clearer parts of the lake, so that they will remain submerged all year

4. Cover wild celery beds with removable wire mesh cages to ensure establishment

5. Get water willow plants(Justicia americana)

6. Plant water willow plants in coves of the upper lake areas so that the plants will be emergent for most of the year. 1-2 ft of water in the springtime would be the best location.

7. Get Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) tubers ($300 / 1000 tubers)

8. Plant Sago Pondweed tubers on all of the lower lake offshore shoals and around the lower lake islands

9. Plant Sago Pondweed tubers in the deeper areas of clear coves (5-10')

10. Cover Sago beds with mesh screening to ensure establishment

Additionally, the water is likely clear enough in the river portions of the lake to support Sago and Celery. It is unlikely that the water is clear enough in April, May and June to support much grass above The Cliffs and Indian Creek. There would likely not be enough light penetration till later in the year after the threat of prolonged high and muddy water has passed.

For any of it to work, the carp must be removed. Also, the lake owners (aka homeowners) need to be made aware of the benefits of aquatic vegetation. Yes it can be a nuisance, but it has more upside than downside for the whole ecosystem of the lake. We're all stakeholders in the lake...

[johnr]

Also, Vegetation is not just a bass/striper "thing". There are many other species in the lake that would benefit greatly from beds of Sago, and there are many anglers that would be interested in pursuing these species if they had more robust populations. The yellow perch population could explode with the addition of Sago. It would expand the crappie fishery by providing secure and productive offshore structure. The bluegill population would likely expand as well, into these offshore grass beds. The quality of fish would also improve with the proverbial buffet table created by the grass beds.

With the celery in the shallower water, it is likely that bass, crappies, bluegills and perch young of the year would see higher survival rates. Water willows will also provide the same benefit as well as helping to provide safe areas for baitfish such as minnows and young shad.

SML is deep and steep enough that vegetation will never crowd the lake. However, in areas that are to shallow and clear to be really productive, the vegetation will provide a great benefit. Its a shame to go into coves in bull run that are nothing but crystal clear water over mud bottoms, with no fish to speak of. Those areas should be teeming with fish. With grass, they will be.

I've fished a lot of ponds, lakes, and rivers. The ones with vegetation have always been more productive and more fun to fish (for me, anyhow).

[ray]

Sept 23, 2016 6:57:59 GMT -5 johnr said:

Vegetation Plan:

1. Remove all grass carp

2. Get wild celery (Vallisneria americana) tubers and plants ($350 / 1000 tubers)

3. Plant wild celery in muddy bottomed, moderately shallow (3') areas of coves in the clearer parts of the lake, so that they will remain submerged all year

4. Cover wild celery beds with removable wire mesh cages to ensure establishment

5. Get water willow plants(Justicia americana)

6. Plant water willow plants in coves of the upper lake areas so that the plants will be emergent for most of the year. 1-2 ft of water in the springtime would be the best location.

7. Get Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) tubers ($300 / 1000 tubers)

8. Plant Sago Pondweed tubers on all of the lower lake offshore shoals and around the lower lake islands

9. Plant Sago Pondweed tubers in the deeper areas of clear coves (5-10')

10. Cover Sago beds with mesh screening to ensure establishment

Additionally, the water is likely clear enough in the river portions of the lake to support Sago and Celery. It is unlikely that the water is clear enough in April, May and June to support much grass above The Cliffs and Indian Creek. There would likely not be enough light penetration till later in the year after the threat of prolonged high and muddy water has passed.

For any of it to work, the carp must be removed. Also, the lake owners (aka homeowners) need to be made aware of the benefits of aquatic vegetation. Yes it can be a nuisance, but it has more upside than downside for the whole ecosystem of the lake. We're all stakeholders in the lake...

[ray]

I personally think vegetation helps the ecosystem of a lake, We have 3 small county lakes here in Amherst County, They used to have grass, Hydrilla in them,It got a little out of control, The county killed 100 percent of the vegetation,The lakes no stay dingy looking most of the year, The fishing is nothing like it was when there was grass, Most of the time you catch a few smaller fish, half of which look like they are starving. A few years ago they killed all the lilly pads on Briery Creek, Have not caught any bluegill since.

[gdelmoro]

These are ALL excellent points that the SMLASSOC I guess, did not consider. I'm thinking of retiring to SML but if the fishery continues to tank at this rate, I'll need to find another lake. I really hope they do something. 

[nealsml]

This is an excellent post. Smith Mountain Lake would be so much cleaner with less nutrients with the addition of vegetation. At this point nutrients are approaching a level of excess,due to surface runoff and the use of fertilizers. Plants would make use of nutrients and remove some from the water. Sediments in the water is another problem. The constant summer boat traffic churns the bottom up so much that it also lowers water quality.I know speed limits are not going to be popular with people, but something needs to be done to control sediment loads. Vegetation introduced tion would be a great start towards better water quality and better fish populations!

[johnr]

Fwiw: I was doing some vegetation surveying this weekend on a lake which shall remain unnamed. The grasss, mostly hydrilla, was full of fish. Alewives, YOY bream and bass, mature bass, large bream and crappies were all present.

Grass was from 3' to 20'. All of it held fish.

The water was noticeably clearer in areas with grass. Sediment was clearly visible sticking to the grass rather than being suspended in the water.

Tell me again why this is bad??? Lol.

Areas without grass were totally fishless.