If your pond or lake has ever been overrun with mossy, grassy vegetation, you have more than likely heard the word “grass carp” thrown around as a potential solution. Grass carp are sterile vegetarian fish that feed on vascular/mossy vegetation in ponds or lakes, keeping its growth in check and your water aesthetically pleasing. In the way of vegetation control in ponds and lakes, they are a fantastic non-chemical solution. There’s just one catch… they require a permit!
Before you let out a “huff” and think to yourself, “Oh great, more paperwork”, let us assure you that applying for a permit is not that much of a headache. If you follow this step-by-step guide, rest easy knowing that your application process will be virtually painless.
Step 1: Identify your vegetation. Is it grassy in appearance? Growing from the bottom up? Or floating in a mat on top of the water? While a specific identification is ideal, the answers to these questions are helpful. It is important to note that if your vegetation is primarily filamentous algae or Duckweed floating in a mat on the surface, stocking tilapia might be a better option for you. If you have questions or are still unsure, pictures can be sent to our Shop Service line at 361-772-0451 for clarification.
Step 2: Log onto Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website and create an account on their Permitting Portal.
- Type https://apps.tpwd.texas.gov/permitting/login.faces in your search engine. This will bring you to TPWD’s Permitting Portal page.
- Select “Create an Account” and answer the following prompts for set-up
Step 3: Under “Applications for Permits” select APPLY
Step 4: The first option on this list should be “Application to Stock Triploid Grass Carp”. Select APPLY next to this option.
Step 5: Verify your personal account information and make any changes if needed.
Step 6: Follow the prompts (address of the pond to be stocked, organization or ranch name, etc.)
Step 7: Use the Mapping Tool to find your property and the tank you want to stock the carp in. Select the “Draw Polygon” icon to frame out the border of the tank (this calculates surface acreage). There is helpful tips on the left sidebar of the map if needed. Select CONTINUE when completed.
Step 8: Answer the Permit Questions to the best of your knowledge and hit CONTINUE.
Step 9: Verify all information and make any necessary changes, hit CONTINUE
Step 10: Select the “I Agree” box after reading the Permitting Agreement
Step 11: Proceed with Payment
Step 12: Once payment is received, take note of your confirmation number and log out.
***Application processing time varies with the time of year. Typically, most customers hear back within 2 weeks whether they are approved or denied; if approved, you can move forward with the stocking process.
What to do Once Your Permit is Approved
Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive an email informing you of such. To print the permit, you will need to log back onto the TPWD Permitting Portal, go to your “Active Permits”, and select the permit number (it should be hyperlinked). You will then find yourself at an overview page with a map of the pond or lake highlighted and your submitted application questions.
In the top row of the page, next to your permit number, there will be a PRINT button. Click this button! This will download your permit as a PDF document to your computer and allow you to print it and bring it here to the shop to pick up your carp. Your permit should have a section of the bottom that says “To be completed by vendor selling Triploid Grass Carp”. This is the portion that we need to fill out for you upon purchase and save for our records.
If it all still sounds like too much of a hassle, don’t sweat it. We offer a Permitting Application Service! For a fee, we can complete and submit the permit for you and contact you once approved to move forward. Just give us a call at the office at 361-798-5934 or the Shop line at 361-772-0451 to request this service.
As always, the experts at Henneke Hatchery are here if you need any help or assistance. Give us a call or shoot us a message! Tight lines!
Author: Jordan Moore