Fisheries Offices Figure 1. Nine-inch triploid grass carp stocked in a central Georgia pond with a heavy weed infestation grew to lengths of 29 inches and weights of almost 20 pounds in 16 months.
Aquatic weeds are a serious problem for pond owners throughout Georgia.
They restrict access to fishing areas, reduce fish harvest and decrease the usefulness, attractiveness and value of a pond. Herbicides, mechanical removal, water level changes, dyes, fertilization, proper pond construction, pond renovation and biological methods successfully control unwanted aquatic weed growth. The physical and chemical characteristics of the pond and the pond owner's objectives dictate which method is most appropriate. The U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife introduced it into the United States in 1963 in cooperation with Auburn University. However, concerns existed about the grass carp reproducing in the wild and becoming an environmental nuisance, destroying valuable areas such as wetlands, swamps and waterfowl feeding grounds.