hey fellas. just got back on the lake up in ny and it was ice out three weeks maybe and there are already tons of weeds. i think they are dead but still around. why are they there or alive. last year at this time the lake was baron on the bottom. it was awesome . now there are tons of weeds still. so will they decompose when the knew weeds start or what. thanks for any info

trav

Yep, there are green weeds that live throughout winter.  I've snagged surprisingly healthy cabbage in February thru the ice before.

Different weed species have different needs. Two things that affect weed populations and distribution within a water body are light and temperature. A cloudy year, or one with off-colored water can kill off some species and encourage others. Some species are more northern and do better further south during cooler summers, and vice-versa. It can be very different year to year.

During winter warm water species simply die back, while some cold species (like coontail) can do well under the ice. Snow on the ice can block light and kill or discourage plants. Wind affects shallow plants by breaking or even uprooting them. If it happens to be a calm autumn, weedbed structure may not be destroyed, even though the plants are dead. Low water levels can alter species composition and structure too. I appreciate  drought years bc they can kill neavy shoreline weedgrowth leaving corridors for bass to hunt in and ease of presenting different lures.

All these variables, and plenty of others, sure keep things interesting.

As to your specific question: Those dead weeds will eventually decompose and break up. New veges will come up, but may end up patchier (depending on species) bc of light blocked by last years intact growth. But a strong wind could open things back up. It remains to be seen what will actually happen.

I've caught plenty of nice pike, bass and even musky along the deep remaining weededges while ice fishing.

Usually there are plenty of weeds that make it through the winter but last year my first time out I couldn't find any. First time I can remember that happening.