They are the primary producers in the aquatic food chain, converting the basic chemical nutrients in the water and soil into plant matter, which becomes food for all other life. Insect larvae, snails, and freshwater shrimp thrive in plant beds. Sunfish Minnesota's most sought-after game fish eat aquatic plants in addition to aquatic insects and crustaceans. Offer fish shelter Plants provide shelter for young fish. Because bass, sunfish, and yellow perch usually nest in areas where vegetation is growing, certain areas of lakes are protected and posted by the DNR as fish spawning areas during spring and early summer.
Northern pike use aquatic plants, too, by spawning in marshy and flooded areas in early spring.
Improve water clarity and quality Certain water plants, like bulrushes, can absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Nutrients used by aquatic plants for growth are not available to algae. This reduces algae abundance improving water clarity. Aquatic plants also maintain water clarity by preventing the re-suspension of bottom sediments. Algae, which thrive on dissolved nutrients, can become a nuisance when too many submerged water plants are destroyed.