Just got this email from the lake Conroe association about the hydrilla that is on the verge of consuming the lake. I was just starting to enjoy the vegetation coming back but I guess that was short lived…

Hydrilla -if you moved into the Lake Conroe area after 2007 you may have heard of Hydrilla but not experienced the problems firsthand when Hydrilla takes over large parts of the lake. We have collected articles and pictures from the early to mid-2000’s and posted them on our website at www.lcatx.com for those not familiar with Hydrilla. Hydrilla, when left unchecked in its early stages of rapid growth, can make widespread nearshore areas unusable for recreation within a year to eighteen months. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) monthly survey of plant species recently reported we have gone from 0.75 acres of Hydrilla to 200 acres in six months. One month after their report we estimate that we are now “doubling in the acres affected” every 3-4 months. At this pace if the Hydrilla is not aggressively addressed it will be a major problem by this time next year. TPWD has already added two 500 grass carp stockings over the last two years with 2000 more scheduled for this Fall. TPWD hopes that an immediate herbicide treatment will give the limited stocking of grass carp more time to control the hydrilla on its own. Given the magnitude of the threat and urgent action required, the LCA Board has authorized a major fund drive and partnering with the SJRA for the purchase and spraying of ProcellaCOR which is specially designed to eliminate Hydrilla but not impact other native plant species. The expected costs will be a minimum of $150,000 and the LCA has committed to the SJRA that if the SJRA starts spraying now using $75,000 of their reserve funds, LCA will raise an equal amount for the second phase of spraying.

To see more information on the last fight against hydrilla, click on the following two links.

https://lcatx.com/dockline-winter-2004-the-new-hydrilla-wars

https://lcatx.com/lake-conroe-a-developing-story

Please donate to the LCA as we lead the effort to get Hydrilla under control. Donate via our website www.lcatx.com or send your tax-deductible donations to PO Box 376 Willis TX 77378

I haven't been out there in so long I had no idea that ole Drilla was back on Conroe. Guess I need to go see it for myself before these guys eradicate it again.

I live 10 miles from the lake and it is very hard to find fish. 1 put of 4 brush piles I put out hold fish but you have to get a number to fish them. Sometimes they just disappear. I have heard of people moving them. I'm done with it. Make it a wake boat only lake. Catfish is good though.

Thanks for the forwarding the newsletter Craw Worm. I understand your take is from a homeowners point of view and not a “visiting” fisherman correct? Two words that caught my attention used in your info was if not “aggressively addressed”. Why can’t the words “aggressively” and “moderation” be used in the same sentence? It has been “controlled” and not completely “eradicated” other places. Guessing it’s more cost effective to completely eradicate as apposed to maintain it? Of course when the article is titled “our old foe hydrilla is back” it’s apparent what the general consensus is. Keep it a mud hole like Cedar Creek Lake. Also a very developed lake. Most are not old enough on this forum to know or remember but its a prime example when hydrilla is covering coves and shallows making them at best a “nuisance” and at worse “unusable” to property owners a once clear water lake with great bass fishing opportunities becomes a ‘mud hole”.

In the 80's Conroe was a bass factory.

I think he just copied and pasted the email, which was in fact written from a homeowners association type point of view.

Karen has her sprayer filled and is ready to kill!



RIP 2.0 Conroe

Correct. I do not live on the lake but it is my primary fishing spot. I subscribed to the lca newsletters a few years back just to keep tabs on what they are thinking over there. I am definitely not for the control of aquatic vegetation in Conroe. The lake would benefit greatly from more cover. I would like to combat this eradication effort but I feel confident they will easily raise the money and proceed with their plans. If they would just leave the areas north of 1097 alone I would be happy.

thats pretty crazy

Yes sir, I remember those days!

This is exactly what is happening as we speak at Canyon. Just as large fields of hydrilla are taking hold the HOA Karens are looking to air drop punchered 50 gallon drums of poison into the lake if necessary to destroy it all. Of course im am being dramatic but they will truly stop at nothing to get rid of it. Unfortunately money talks and at these mega mansion metroplex lakes the money says get rid of the hydrilla.

It’s actually been nice to take a break from the brush pile ring-around and go play with a frog in the grass. I wish they would leave north of 1097 alone and do as they please south but $ and home ownership rule.

There is a huge difference between hydrilla "consuming the lake" and a piece got on Karen's foot. The reason that they don't leave the portion north of 1097 alone, is because Caney Creek is a favorite area for wakeboarders to hang out. I live 30 minutes from Lake Conroe and would love to include it in my go-to fishing lakes group. TPWD will just screw it up again.

time to start organizing counter measures

They will trash the grass. There is some good native grass like eel grass that’s going to die.