Goodbye Lake Erling

Giant Salvinia is now from one end to the other. It was discovered almost a year ago. The owners of the lake ( Agred Foundation )
Were given herbicide and instructions by the AGFC, according to an article in the Magnolia banner newspaper back in Jan. Of 2019.
The article said they planned to lower the lake and spray the new weed. From what I can tell nothing was done. For sure they never lowered the lake and there are large areas covered in Salvinia .
This lake will never be the same.
If you fish here or anywhere for that matter be sure your trailer and live well and boat are free of any and all weeds before you leave.


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It's just as bad now at Lake Columbia too. I've seen boat trailers covered with it, on the trailer bunks, leave the park boat ramp on Erling and you know they didn't lift their boat off the bunks to clean it off before going to another lake. That's how it had to have gotten into Erling. Probably from one of the LA lakes.

Man I hate to hear that it has destroyed lakes in La.

From a news article:
The good news about managing giant salvinia is that control has been demonstrated without the use of toxic chemicals. In tropical parts of Australia, India, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and Botswana, introductions of the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae suppressed populations of this aquatic weed. Eradication of big infestations generally requires the use of commercially available herbicides in addition to biological control organisms. An accidental introduction of the weevil occurred in Florida but on Common Salvinia (Salvinia minima). This interaction proved to be beneficial since Florida has less of an issue with Salvinia minima that other states like Texas and Louisiana. Texas Parks and Wildlife has performed an introduction of 112,000 adult weevils in to B.A. Steinhagen Lake, where Salvinia molesta has taken over hundreds of acres. The weevil has successfully destroyed about 150 acres of the invasive plant. A similar effort is now being performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Caddo Lake on the border of Northwest Teas and Northeast Louisiana.



Maybe you can contact your local management authorities about adding some Weevils?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NCkenner

From a news article:
The good news about managing giant salvinia is that control has been demonstrated without the use of toxic chemicals. In tropical parts of Australia, India, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and Botswana, introductions of the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae suppressed populations of this aquatic weed. Eradication of big infestations generally requires the use of commercially available herbicides in addition to biological control organisms. An accidental introduction of the weevil occurred in Florida but on Common Salvinia (Salvinia minima). This interaction proved to be beneficial since Florida has less of an issue with Salvinia minima that other states like Texas and Louisiana. Texas Parks and Wildlife has performed an introduction of 112,000 adult weevils in to B.A. Steinhagen Lake, where Salvinia molesta has taken over hundreds of acres. The weevil has successfully destroyed about 150 acres of the invasive plant. A similar effort is now being performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Caddo Lake on the border of Northwest Teas and Northeast Louisiana.



Maybe you can contact your local management authorities about adding some Weevils?

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They have been using the weevils on Caddo for a while and they work but the winter kills most of them and the Salvinia survives.
I did see that there is a university I think that testing a fungus that is naturally occurring may be grown and used for control.
In the meantime it’s gonna ruin every lake in the south.


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That is bad news about Erling and I wish you guys well in your efforts to destroy the salvania grass. I have made several winter-time trips to Caddo in the last fifteen years. It is one of the few natural lakes in the state of Texas. It is also my understanding that the lake was formed, similar to Reelfoot lake in Tennessee, when a major river system backfilled a low lying area during a major earthquake. My son and I were down there four weeks ago and the Salvania wasn't nearly as bad as it has been in the past.

Not sure it’s bank to bank had a couple buddy’s got here a few days again and put a spanking on them

Here is an email that that was sent out to the Fisheries District 6 Constant Contact Email Group that was sent out today.


“Giant Salvinia in Lake Columbia

Lake Columbia is now positive for giant salvinia. Fisheries biologists surveyed the lake and found a high abundance of giant salvinia at both the North Shore Landing and South Shore Landing boat ramps as well as both north and south of county road 52. In addition, there were fragments of salvinia found in the center of the lake between north shore and south shore floating with the wind. It most likely hitchhiked its way to Lake Columbia from Lake Erling on a boat trailer or duck decoy.

Many anglers that fish Lake Erling and Lake Columbia also fish other lakes in the state. Anglers and waterfowl hunters can help prevent the spread of this highly invasive nuisance species to nearby bodies of water with a few simple steps:

• Clean/remove all visible plant matter from equipment before leaving the body of water.
• Drain water from the boat and motor before transporting.
• Dry everything for at least 5 days before entering another body of water, if you are unable to dry, wash it with high-pressure, hot, soapy water.

Remember, even a tiny piece of giant salvinia can grow quickly, salvinia is able to double in size in a single week. Once salvinia enters a waterbody it is near impossible to remove. Giant salvinia can form large mats of vegetation that cover the surface of the water causing oxygen levels to drop, which can be detrimental to fish and other aquatic species. Presence of salvinia in a waterbody has the potential to impair the fishery and boater access.

Protect the water bodies you love and CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY your equipment.

Please report sightings of giant salvinia in other parts of Lake Columbia or in other lakes to the Camden regional office at (870)-836-4612.



District Supervisor: Andy Yung | [email protected] | (877) 836-4612”


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Update, the Giant Salvinia weed worse now than ever.
If you plan to fish here expect it to go with you to wherever you travel. The winter temps are not killing it. Hopefully they draw the lake down next fall to slow the growth and kill it back. Looks like it’s here to stay.



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