Just putting this out there for the fishing community to see. I will save others the time to read the entire post by saying this early....if you want Canyon Lake to have grass, you need to be on the phone pressuring TP&W not to cave to the pleasure/wake crowd and homeowners with a view of this lake.

While fishing yesterday eve, I was approached by inland fisheries for a quick survey. After questions were answered, it was my turn to ask a few. When asked about the grass situation and what was in the works, he plainly said that the squeaky wheel is getting the grease, and it isnt the angling community. His office is getting calls weekly (which is odd considering there is very little visible grass at the time) about the "infestation" of hydrilla. Homeowners claiming it is very dangerous (nevermind the forest of trees and all the abandoned trotlines dangling in the wind) to the recreational boaters and swimmers. In other words, a few rich privileged homeowners built their houses in pretty coves and matted up grass takes away from the curb appeal of their house, even though their property line ends at the fence. While some have water access, many do not (in this area of the lake)

Point is, the inland fisheries guy made it abundantly clear that the pressure is on the TPW to mediate the grass. I guess the people who are complaining about beaching their boat and feeling grass on their precious feet have never sliced one open on zebra mussels. The amount of disinformation being spread on the "Stop Canyon Lake Hydrilla" FB page is absurd, and you get banned for passing along facts that do not assist in their war against nature. I highly recommend going to check it out and read some of the under-enlightened points of view, and feel free to drop some facts if you like.

The lake has improved immensely in clarity, forage, fry survival, etc. Between the stripers and loss of grass, this lake will nose-dive. Anglers, do your thing.

It will not do any good. If they decide to kill it they will.
They killed all of ours here at Hubbard Creek a couple years ago and we probably had 500 fisherman protest it on their Facebook page. There were maybe 20 property owners on the lake that complained and they killed 100% of the grass. I also am convinced the fishery biologist don’t have much say in it, the invasive species people at the TPWD make the call. They could care less about the facts of grass in lakes like ours and canyon that have very little cover without it or how bad the water quality gets when it’s gone.

It's the controlling entity of a particular body of water who allows or itself kills the grass in our reservoirs.

Yep, they are comical at best. “It’s overwhelming the entire lake”…

My understanding is that the Corps will make the final decision on if treatment is warranted, as they are the controlling authority for Canyon Lake. Last I heard the Corps did not think treatment was needed. Stillhouse Hollow, another Corps controlled lake to the north is loaded with hydrilla (has been for years) and they haven't treated anything I am aware of. Similar to Canyon there are no waterfront property owners, as the shoreline is all Corps property. I would think the Corps would want to maintain a consistent policy with regard to aquatic vegetation control.

TPWD is in contact with the Corps on the situation, as TPWD would consider a permit for treatment should they request it. Call the San Marcos District Fisheries Management office and talk to one of the Biologists if you want the straight scoop on what is happening.

It sure wouldnt hurt to atleast make anglers the squeaky wheel. Maybe we could change some policies around the grass killing

It will do you no good to be the squeaky wheel if the grass is hydrilla. We as anglers have no leg to stand on because it’s listed as a non native invasive species. If it were a native grass you’d have a shot, but with hydrilla you will lose 100% of the time. Sucks, but once people start complaining and threatening the governing body will follow the federal guidelines and eradicate the invasive species.

I think the TPWD does a good job, BUT when it comes to grass they will kill it no questions asked.

If anglers create enough noose maybe, just maybe we could get hydrilla off the invasive list

This doesn't really make sense. Canyon lake has no houses that are on the lake

The houses that overlook the lake. Their FB page is real and their voices are being heard.

Those houses are on 200 foot cliffs, how in the hell does grass affect them at all. Doubt they couldn’t even see it without binoculars.

Got to push the don't poison our drinking water angle.

Come on now Lee, it’s “their” lake and the hydrilla is killing swimmers, birds and fish. It’s taken over the entire lake, can’t boat or fish, due to how thick it is. (All junk they say)




Typical post of theirs.

That's it in a nutshell - the folks that are against the grass are organized, making a big stink and have been doing so for the last couple years. This is a situation where anglers need to get together and get loud if they want to make their feelings heard, because right now the momentum is swinging the other way. If you live in the area, or if you want to share your concerns, contact these local authorities who are even now weighing in on the situation.


Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) of Comal County
https://wordcc.com/
830-907-2300
info@wordcc.com

Corps of Engineers for Canyon Lake
www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil
(830) 964-3341

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA)
https://www.gbra.org/
830-379-5822

Local Representatives
Senator Campbell
https://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=25
(830) 626-0065
(512) 463-0125