Louisiana is home to an incredibly diverse inland freshwater system of rivers, streams, lakes, swamps and ponds. All of these systems are able to support a prolific freshwater ecosystem filled with native plants, fish and animals.
Unfortunately many introduced species are trying to take over the native habitats. Exotic plants and animals have no natural checks and balances, and they can overwhelm native species and eliminate the public’s access to many water bodies. Many aquatic plants can reproduce and clog water systems to the point of non-usability. A large part of the LDWF’s resources and effort is directed at controlling aquatic vegetation. A large portion of the water in the U.S. ends up flowing through Louisiana.
As a result, the fishing is diverse and prolific and creates a large area to be managed by the Inland Fisheries Department. It is broken into two main categories: fisheries management and aquatic weed control. Both are challenging, and the introduction of both plant and animal exotic species has really made it tough. Monitoring what is out there is a big part of the focus of the department.
Many different sampling methods are used to assess the big picture. Management of freshwater species like largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are a big part of the department’s focus. But much more is studied to get a better view of the overall health of an ecosystem.
Mussels and small fish are sampled, and populations are monitored. A wide variety of methods are used to sample including electro-fishing, nets, traps and baskets. Monitoring goes on continually so that changes can be detected from natural or man-made events.
Aquatic vegetation control is an ongoing battle to keep exotic aquatic weeds from taking over public waters. The many exotic floating plants can cause access problems in many ways.
