Weed spraying on inland lakes

ROYALTON22 · Bass Fry Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 5 Location: St. Joseph

I would like to find out how other bass fisherman feel about the weed spraying on inland lakes. The DNR takes the stance it doesn't affect the bass. I don't agree. The spraying takes place on most lakes just after the bass spawn. The chemicals along with the lack of oxygen from the dying weeds must affect the fry and bass. What do you guys think?

bronzeback6 · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:14 pm Post subject:

Paw Paw Lake is a prime example of the harm spraying does to bass. Before the lake is weeded in June the bass are healthy and aggressive. The water is also crystal clear before they spray.

After the lake is sprayed, which is usually when most of the bass are done spawning "Depending on the year" the bass develop red sores on their sides and seem very stressed out. If the bass are spawning in an area that gets sprayed then they stop spawning. I have seen bass spawning in Paw Paw as late as June 23. They spawned that late because the lake was sprayed June 4th. It's not good when they spray on top of spawning bass.

The water in Paw Paw Lake turns pollution green and loses a lot of O2. The Bass are seem sick and almost impossible to catch. I don't know if it affects the fry directly but with out weeds they don't have many places to hide.

It usually takes 2-3 weeks or a couple big rain storms for the lake to recover from the spray. Last year was by far the yuckiest I've ever seen the lake after a spray.

It seems once the lake clears up then it's back to normal and the fish recover. Last season Paw Paw produced some of the best weights and biggest bass I've seen in a while. Example, 4-6 lb smallies and 4-6 lb largies where weighed in consistantly. It always took over 13 lbs to win and sometimes over 15.

That being said, I also caught a ton of short bass which is a good sign for Paw Paw Lakes future.

To answer your question, "YES!" I think the spary does have an affect on the bass in Paw Paw Lake. I can say how bad it is though. I know the fishing is horrible after they spray, but the lake bounces back. Nature has an amazing way of healing itself after we hurt it. I wonder how good Paw Paw Lake would be if it wasn't sprayed every year and they found a cleaner way to thin out the weeds.

Does anyone think a lake can get to weedy? To the point where it has to be weeded.

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canvsbk · GIANT SMALLIE!!!! Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 107

I believe if you investigated further you would find that the spraying that's done is not done by or payed for by the DNR. They only issue the permit, the owner of lake front property pay the guy in the john boat. If the property owner can prove that they've found noxious weeds or one of the new invasive weeds the DNR gladly issues the permit.
My question to the property owners would be ...why do they put up those little signs that tell you to stay out of the water for 24 hours after they've sprayed if this stuff is harmless?
IMO the weeds are supposed to be there and from what I've seen the weeds recover quite nicely shortly after the die off anyway.

bronzeback6 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject:

What other lakes are sprayed in southwest Michigan? I've only seen signs around Paw Paw Lake.

Justin

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rich · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject: spraying the lands

For the people that live on the lake they pay lake fees to get this done and have meeting about it every year. They spray two times a year. One is the second week in june and the other is later in the summer. Yes the spraying is bad for the lake but if they didn't spray the weeds would be so thick no one could use the lake. They just have to find a different time and way to kill off some of the weeds. Think of it this way, if you had a home on that lake and your dock would be grown over with weeds and you could not enjoy a investment like that you would want them to kill the weeds. Not to say I am glad they spray it but the lake does need it, it just has to be managed better.

RC

Scott · Large"MOUTH" Bass Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 51

I agree that the weed spraying is bad for the fish. I know they spray the weeds on Van Auken and the water looks terrible. A few years ago I was out there after they sprayed and saw a big northern that was on the surface looking like he was near death. I think the fish naturally go into the weed beds for protection when things get bad and this hurts them more. I think on Indian lake by Sister Lakes they have a maching that cuts the weeds. I would like to see more research done on a mechanical method of removal vice chemical. I do agree with Rich that some weeds have to be removed however I'd like to see them be more selective if possible. I'm not sure how the process goes but if they have to apply the chemical somewhat directly then I don't see the need to treat a weed bed that is a long way from any dock. Especially on a lake like Paw Paw where there is enough deep water that they have plenty of open area to boat/ski.

1javelin · GIANT SMALLIE!!!! Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 180

After fishing paw paw last year, I think they need to do a lot more concerning weed control. If they sprayed twice last year, you could not tell, as there was weeds sticking up everywhere!! It sucked trying to manuever my boat around there, and it was even worse when every cast had to be made after removing a handful of weeds from your lure. I think weeds are a good thing, but in moderation. A machine would be great, which they already have Trident digging a bunch out, but they can't seem to keep up, and I thing they only do what they get paid to do. Some weed, yes. As many as Paw Paw had by the fall of last year? What a nightmare. I can imagine what it would be like if there was no spraying done at all!!!! Crying or Very sad

crawdaddy1 · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:15 pm Post subject:

anyone know if Paw Paw has been sprayed yet or not?

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