Trimming lily pad fields to your "Liking"

[The Quadfather]

I know I am getting in a little late on this, but here's an idea. I would not try to do anything this year. As you said the stems under the pads get to be a real mess by this time of year. I grow lilies in a garden pond and by August my fish can hardly move through them without hitting the stems. If you want to keep a channel open, the best idea is to start in the spring just when the new pads surface. The stems from last year will be laying on the bottom. If you cut your channel then, and keep it open, it should be a little easier. The problem is that the pads grow extremely fast, and as you make room the pads you leave will spread out. You will have to go fishing and trim the pads weekly. I don't know if that is practical for you. Another Idea is to get as many people as you can to drive through the channels you want. The props should cut a narrow path, but again it has to be kept up. Personally I use heavy jigs to penetrate the pads or drag a frog or lizard across the top, letting it drop in between the pads. Yes it is frustrating to get hung up but the alternative is a lot of work.

You are right not to use any noticeable equipment. WA has very strict laws concerning lakes, rivers and such. WA considers water property of the state, so I would not do anything that would bring unwelcome attention. Also, habitat alteration is not looked on kindly by the state. I do not believe it would not be worth the risk. I can not see them questioning a "boat path" cut through the pads though, I've seen this on several lakes.

Finally, DO NOT, under any circumstances, use any type of pesticide in, on, or around the water. This would lead to huge fines and maybe even a stay at the "grey bar hotel". WA is more than strict about this. I know farmers and landscapers that have gotten themselves into serious trouble by spraying along waterways. It would be beyond foolish, for any reason, to try.

Just saw that you resurrected this one...
Ya, I am definitely not (that) concerned about seeing this idea through. I mean, I did a little hand trimming like I said, but no way am I about to get into herbacides, and power tools. When you mentioned boat props.... this is a little urban lake with no gas motor, no launch, etc.
Anyway.. I was just kind of was thinking out loud about ways around the issue.

[hewesbob]

I owned a small resort on an eastern Washington lake that was about 2/3rds covered with Lilly pads. I found a company online named Aquacide, they have several different herbicide sinking tablets that I used for the same reason that you are talking about. I used them around my docks and to create fishing holes in deep cover. They are safe and legal in Spokane county(check with your county extension agent as I did). These tablets will kill all growth from the bottom up so the stems won't be a problem. I'm not sure about the previous post talking about using pesticide to close to the water,pesticides kill bugs not weeds.

[swb69]

I owned a small resort on an eastern Washington lake that was about 2/3rds covered with Lilly pads. I found a company online named Aquacide, they have several different herbicide sinking tablets that I used for the same reason that you are talking about. I used them around my docks and to create fishing holes in deep cover. They are safe and legal in Spokane county(check with your county extension agent as I did). These tablets will kill all growth from the bottom up so the stems won't be a problem. I'm not sure about the previous post talking about using pesticide to close to the water,pesticides kill bugs not weeds.

I like the sound of the tablets. They would make it easy to open a path or create holes to fish. I would definitely check before trying them out though. Herbicides are pesticides. When I refer to any type of weed, insect, or rodent killer, I call them pesticides. Its kind of a generic term. Sorry for any confusion. Just what I was taught.

[racfish]

My cousin lives on Lk Wa. He drags a 6x8 piece of chain link fencing in early spring. It opens the lillies and gets rid of the milfoil.

[fishinChristian]

Better never than late, or something like that.

Didn't notice this post till now, but I use my Minn Kota weed prop to drive through the pads on my favorite pad lake, with no intention of harming the local flora, which is no doubt endangered (at least while I drive through it). Once every 2 weeks or so leaves a noticable path, I've noticed. Accidental, sure, but I've caught HUGE bass and bluegill in the channels I've accidentally cut. In tightly overgrown waters, it seems to improve the habitat. I also go forward reverse quite a bit, due to being directionally impaired. I end up with cutouts in the channel. Incidentally, these extra pockets seem to hold fish better than a single canal would. Of course, everything above may be fictional, and always remember to say hi to Big Brother on Mount Olympus (or is that Olympia?) when signing off.

Seriously, the weed prop works on the pontoon, though you need a 40 lb thrust or better if you don't want to keep clearing the motor.

[angry john]

I dont see how the punch rig would not fill the bill. Your jig rod would do the trick and you just get the punch skirt and weight. I still use the same trailer. If you want to more about it, i will share where i get my stuff.