Lake Weeds in Winter

Ever wonder what all those lake weeds are doing this time of year beneath the ice and snow?

They’re down there, plotting and conspiring against us! That’s what I think anyway.

Whatever they’re doing, the one thing they’re not doing is “growing.” Lake weeds are dormant this time of year and it’s not because it’s cold outside. They’re not growing because there’s not enough sunlight in the northern latitudes to stimulate growth.

This very simple principle is why LakeMats and MuckMats work so well: they prevent sunlight from reaching your lake weeds. Plants are very clever and tenacious. They can do a lot of amazing things, but they can’t grow without the sun. The best way to control them is to stop them before they start growing in the spring.

So, the best time to install a LakeMat or MuckMat is early in the season. Yes, the water is a little nippy, but you can wear waders, or have some teenagers do it. Or, just be tough. In the winter, my Swedish dad used to take a hot shower, then go outside and jump in a snow drift wearing only his boxers. He… was tough.

Another benefit of installing LakeMats and MuckMats early is there’s much less gas created from decaying lake weeds because they haven’t started growing before they’re covered up by the Mats. Of course, LakeMats and MuckMats work any time of year, but spring is the most efficient time to get them in.