Pond plants can have both positive and negative effects on recreational fishing ponds. When deciding if a plant needs to be controlled and how to control it, it is important to identify the plant. Some of the terms used by plant biologists can be a bit confusing.

In this video, Rob Eckelbecker a graduate student in the Auburn University School of Fisheries, describes some of the general structures of plants that are common in ponds throughout the southeastern United States. He also demonstrates how to collect plants to bring to a professional for identification.