At Waterfront Restoration, we know how troublesome cattails and lily pads can be for someone with a lakefront property. Not only do these plants affect the appearance of your lakefront, they can make it harder to swim or navigate a boat through. Even though these plants can cause problems when they really start to grow out of control, they do serve an important purpose for the ecosystem and are closely managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Any aquatic plants growing in public waters are also considered property of the state under Minnesota law (1). This means that you may need a permit depending on the plants you wish to remove.
Cattail Removal
Cattails grow in quiet waters that are less than four feet deep. You can find them in shallow lake water, marshes, ponds, and ditches. Cattails help stabilize the borders of lakes and ponds, prevent shorelines from eroding, and provide cover and nesting places for ducks and other waterfowl (1). They also make a great food source for muskrats and beavers (2).
Since cattails serve an important purpose, it’s required to obtain a permit before removing them in the state of Minnesota (1). Even then, you may only be allowed to remove enough of the plants to allow boat access to deeper water. Click here to learn how Waterfront Restoration can help remove your cattails!
Lily Pad Removal
Floating-leaf plants like water lilies and cow lilies provide cover for game fish. They can also be a good source of food for waterfowl and muskrats (3). Lily pads are the leaves of these plants. You can remove sections up to 15 feet wide without a permit in the state of Minnesota. Anything more will require a permit from the Minnesota DNR. However, the yellow lotus is a protected species that can never be removed. Yellow lotus plants have grey-green leaves that can grow as large as two feet across. They also have fragrant yellow flowers that are about 10 inches wide when in full bloom (3).
Applying for the Right Permit
Applying for the proper permits for a project can be a hassle, but Waterfront Restoration takes care of that step for you. Simply let us know about your restoration or landscaping project, and we can apply for the proper permits on your behalf. It’s apart of our dedication to providing our clients with a high-quality and convenient service. For more information about our aquatic plant-removal services or to learn more about what DNR permits, contact us today.
References
(1) https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aquatic_plants/emergent_plants/cattails.html
(2) http://bayville.thinkport.org/printables/cattails.pdf
(3) https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/other/940504.pdf
FAQs
Lily pads can either be removed physically or chemically, but both methods can be time consuming. It is not recommended for you to remove all of the lily pads floating on a body of water, either, since they often serve oxygenate the water for fish and provide shade for all sorts of underwater aquatic life.
Can you remove cattails in MN? ›
To preserve as much cattail habitat as possible, the DNR permits the removal of these plants only in a small area to provide boat access to deeper lake water. Cutting cattails below the water surface after first frost provides good control, as will application of a DNR-approved herbicide to the leaves.
Can you remove lily pads from lake in Indiana? ›
Current DNR rules prohibit lake residents from removing lily pads, except in small areas with no open water access. “At specific locations where lily pads impair lake access, we can issue permits to control them,” Pearson said.
Is it illegal to remove lily pads in Minnesota? ›
Lily Pad Removal
You can remove sections up to 15 feet wide without a permit in the state of Minnesota. Anything more will require a permit from the Minnesota DNR.
How do I permanently get rid of lily pads? ›
Chemical Control
Products such as Shore-Klear or Reward and Weedtrine D, when mixed with a nonionic surfactant such as Cygnet Plus work very well at killing Lily Pads and assisting in gaining control over them. Shore-Klear is a systemic herbicide that will translocate down into the root systems killing the plant.
Are water lilies protected? ›
After finding nothing on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Web site, I checked with Matt Herbert, an Endangered Species Assistant with the DNR's Wildlife Division. He informed me that the standard white or yellow water lilies are not protected, and that there is no fine for picking them.
How do you get rid of cattails in a lake? ›
Herbicide Control:
Imox herbicide paired with a surfactant is the best herbicide to kill cattails. These products together are called our Cattail and Water Lily Control. Thoroughly wetting the plants in late summer or early fall is the most practical time to treat.
Why can't you cut cattails? ›
If you cut the cattails below the water line two or three times in a season, very few cattails will grow back the following year. Your cutting will have deprived the roots of their important food source and reduced the amount for storage.
Are cattails good for a lake? ›
The stems catch and slow water and help trap sediment and silt. Cattail roots harbor microorganisms that help break down organic materials. New research shows that cattails can also remove polluting materials from the water surrounding their roots.
What kills lily pads in a lake? ›
2,4-D Amine Selective Weed Killer is our top recommendation for treating Water Lily and successfully removing it from a water property. Alternatively, you can use Glyphosate 5.4 which is safer to use when your water body has fish and other aquatic life.
If you think you can just tow your floating mat behind your boat, we're sorry to say this idea is also a no-go. It goes against advised safety rules and can be dangerous unless you stick to snail-like speeds.
What is the difference between a water lily and a lily pad? ›
Water lilies are plants that grow in still or slowly moving water. They like ponds, streams, and the edges of lakes in tropical and mild areas. Their floating leaves are often called lily pads.
Why can't you pull lily pads? ›
Firstly, it can be really time-consuming and difficult to hand-pull water lily pads from a body of water. Additionally, it's very difficult to ensure you've removed a water lily's entire root system, and if you haven't, the lily will simply regrow. As such, we only recommend hand-pulling as a temporary control measure.
Can you have too many lily pads in a lake? ›
The Cons of Lily Pads
Unfortunately, lily pads can also cause some problems in ponds. First, they can quickly spread and take over the entire pond if left unchecked. Second, their large leaves can block sunlight from reaching the bottom of the pond, making it difficult for plants and other aquatic creatures to thrive.
How do you get rid of cattails naturally? ›
Hand-pulling
Slowly pull the plant and the white root out of the soil and cast it onto the shore of the pond. Proceed onto the next plant until you have cleared out the area as completely as you wish. The murky water will settle in a few days. Keep an eye on the area you cleared for new cattail growth.
Are lily pads good or bad in lakes? ›
The Pros of Lily Pads
Lily pads offer many benefits to pond ecosystems. As we mentioned, their large leaves provide shade and protection for fish from the hot sun and predators. The roots of water lilies also help to keep ponds clean by absorbing excess nutrients that would otherwise lead to excessive algae growth.
What do lily pads do for a lake? ›
The lake's ecosystem
They create food and shelter for both aquatic and non-aquatic wildlife. Lily pads provide important food sources for beaver, certain species of beetles, and pollinators as well as providing shelter for fish.
Can you pull out water lilies? ›
Physically pulling water lilies and digging up the roots can be an effective method of control, but the lily pads can regrow from any remaining roots or seeds.
