The Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department has announced that with upcoming free fishing days, the department is seeking to remove an invasive plant species growing near one of the local parks, curly pondweed.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the presence of curly pondweed likely began to grow in the United States in the mid-1880s after being introduced to the environment accidentally with fish stocking operations from Eurasia, Africa and Australia.
The issues caused by curly pondweed include the formation of dense mats that inhibit the growth of native species, which may also impede recreational activities.
As a means of addressing the possible impediment upon recreational activities in the local parks as free fishing days approach on May 12, June 1 and June 2 this year in Indiana, the Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department has begun to assess the growing issue of the curly pondweed and form a plan to reduce its spread.
According to the department, the staff have received reports that the invasive plant has started to grow in the water of the Conservation Pond near Abner Longley Park, which can act as a popular location for free fishing days in the community. The department has begun to treat the area as well as introducing grass carp to the waters in an attempt to clean the area of curly pondweed.
The department reminded community members that the free fishing days for Indiana this summer are May 12, June 1 and June 2, and any other day of fishing at the Conservation Club Pond will require a fishing license. The fishing in the area is catch and release only.
For more information regarding the upcoming recreational activities or the treatment of curly pondweed in the Conservation Pond, contact the Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department at 765-482-8860, email parks@lebanon.in.gov or visit the department at 130 E. Ulen Dr. in Lebanon.