Stafford County says it’s going to use fish to attack its growing aquatic weed problem.
Hydrilla, an aquatic weed, is a problem for many bodies of water in Stafford County, including the 520-acre Lake Mooney resorvoir. Stafford County officials are implementing a recommendation of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) to introduce white amur or “grass carp” into Lake Mooney to help combat the issue. Because of hydrilla’s high growth rate, it can quickly take over a water body and impede recreational activities and aquatic habitats. To ensure the establishment of the newly introduced population of fish and to give the fish time to manage the weeds effectively, Stafford County asks residents to release these fish, if caught.