Ok, I was out there Mother's Day and was really disgusted by how much the grass has grown. I understand it makes for really clear water, natural habitat, etc..but wow, it's getting ridiculous! I couldn't even run the motor trimmed up just past the 1st buoy under the bridge without it sucking all that **** up and stalling out. I think this lake has a potential for being ruined by this intrusive stuff. Anyone know of anyone to call/write letters to to address this problem?

Yeah, let's kill another East Texas

Leave the lake alone.

Goat Farmer - Have you been to Gilmer lately or even at all? Lately when we're loading the boat up there's a few anglers talking about how bad it's gotten. The grass has steadily taken over more and more of the lake. Anyway, they need to do something to just get it under control. I'm not a big fan of grass carp at all, but what about spraying it with some type of chemical to just thin it out some?

I'm with ya....I don't want to see it eradicated, just maybe put under control? Say, thin it out a bit. Something....Anything...

Sorry, didn't mean to come off like a jerk there.

there really doesn't seem to be a good option to thin it out. There are lots of examples of lakes that USED to have grass and now do not.

Not sure there really is a solution, just that once you wipe it out, even if you didn't mean to, it's tough to get it back.

I'd say gets some push poles, some strong backs and start droppin' jigs through that grass!!

If it's really an issue, TP&W will get involved I'm sure.

What's the lake level like at Gilmer?

TFP

Was out there today. Don't know what the normal lake level looks like cause I haven't been out there a ton but the grass has gotten really bad and seems to get worse everytime I go out there. I don't know the solution either but I do know they need to be careful so it doesn't end up like Martin Creek or a couple of our other lakes where they go to get it under control and kill it all off. Fishing was slow for us today and the wind beat us to death. Had fun though!

"They" are introducing grass carp to Lake Jacksonville. Lake Jax is basically a weedless bait lake IMHO.

Like they say, "everyone likes a little grass but no one likes an inpenetrable grass - or something like that.

Topwater

Ug says: Top Water Good! Lake Gilmer! zebco33 Smart!

I fish gilmer nearly every weekend. If you brave going west of the bridge the grass is about 6-12 inches from the top. I usually fish the east side and theres alot of grass up there also, but we have brought out alot of real nice keepers from there. I do agree they neeed to get the grass in check. Lake tyler was the same way till the dropped the lake about 8feet. There is suppose to be a tourney up there this weekend so im sure there will be alot of complaing, there are alot of stumps within the boat lanes, i hit one last saturday at idle and bent my prop. The hotter it gets the more the grass grows, back in Feb and march there was grass but not like it is now, but thats due to the heat and clear water.

Sounds like whatever they did on Joe Pool they should do to Lake Gilmer and other lakes with Hydrilla problems if possible. On Joe Pool there was a lot of talk about eradicating the grass, there are many more pleasure boaters out there, but no home owners, so that may have saved the grass. They limited their attack, and controlled the grass around the marinas, but left plenty for good fishing in other areas. If Joe Pool is any indication a compromise can be reached.

Looks like Lake Tyler is getting grass carp to control the hydrilla, maybe Gilmer is next. I think this may start to become the common fix around this area.

http://kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4940577

Big Leslie - What stumps in what boat lanes are you talking about???

I fish lake Gilmer at least once a week, and the grass is very thick, but I usually fish deep so its not as much of an issue I very rarely go under the bridge. I don't really know if I am for or against it.