Water Lettuce

Seasonal Techniques

Spring—Native to tropics, water lettuce rarely overwinters in TVA system to continue growth in spring. Most often, new plants are a result of aquarium dumps in summer. Water lettuce is seldom present in spring.

Summer—Plants will rapidly grow and expand in size, producing daughter plants, thus resulting in large floating colonies of water lettuce. Water lettuce that has grown from seed or is a result of an aquarium dump will rapidly spread. Dispersed plants can be punched with heavy punch baits. However once plants form dense colonies, fishing them can be nearly impossible. Edges of colonies can be fished with a swim jig or other weedless presentation.

Fall—As winter approaches, water lettuce will slow in growth and new plant production. The plant produces buoyant seed that will spread with flow. As plants begin to decay in late fall, holes can be fished with punch baits within the once-dense colonies.

Winter—Water lettuce will only be present as dormant seed in the winter, therefore targeting this species should be avoided. In mild winters, water lettuce seed may survive to produce new plants in the spring.

Habitat Value

Fish—Water lettuce has very little habitat value for fish as it’s dense colonies will shade out more desirable native species that can provide submersed structure.

Waterfowl—Any habitat value of water lettuce to waterfowl is unknown.

Identifying Features

What It Looks Like—Water lettuce is a free floating plant that has an appearance that is very similar to an open head of lettuce. A single plant can be as large as 12 inches wide.

Where to Find It—This plant prefers quiet backwater areas but will travel almost anywhere dependent on wind direction and current.

Similar Species—Water lettuce might be confused with other floating plants, but the distinct lettuce shape of it’s leaves makes it discernible from other plants.

Drawbacks

Water lettuce is a major problem throughout much of the southern United States. Large colonies have completely halted water use. Management of the plant can be very difficult as the plant can spread via seed or fragmentation. Cost to manage: $$$$ out of $$$$$.