LDWF schedules drawdown on Lake Martin beginning Sept. 6

Action necessary to control aquatic vegetation in St. Martin parish lake

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown to control nuisance aquatic vegetation in Lake Martin on Sept. 6, according to a news release.

The lake, which will be lowered 2 to 3 feet below pool stage, is scheduled to return to pool stage by Jan. 31, 2017 by pumping water in from Ruth Canal.

The action is necessary to control overabundant aquatic vegetation and to improve the Lake Martin sport fishery, and will also enhance the buttonbush and bald cypress forest regrowth in the bird rookery, according to a press release.

While the drawdown may impact navigation in parts of the southern end of the lake for duck hunters in late fall and winter, it is anticipated that hunting and fishing on the majority of the lake will not be affected.  The lake will not be closed to fishing during this time, the release states.

Other recent control efforts include regular herbicide applications for floating and emergent vegetation, and the release of 2,680 triploid grass carp in November, 2015 to control the growth of submerged vegetation. Herbicide spraying will be conducted during the drawdown in accessible areas.