FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 24, 2026
Media Contact: Kristina Sage, Executive Director
Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission
Phone: 540-721-4400
Email: tlac@sml.us.com
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA – The Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) announced that today two hundred (200) certified triploid, sterile grass carp were released into Smith Mountain Lake (SML). Kristina Sage, Executive Director, said the fish were released near areas where hydrilla has been identified in recent years. Hydrilla is the preferred diet of sterile grass carp, and she noted that TLAC is “cautiously optimistic” the fish will begin helping control invasive aquatic vegetation in the lake this summer.
Photo courtesy of Ray Lekich, TLAC Environmental Committee
Hydrilla is a highly invasive aquatic weed that spreads rapidly and is difficult to control. It was first identified in SML in 2007 across only a few acres. By 2012, despite herbicide treatments, the Hydrilla quickly spread to approximately 1,000 acres. Following the introduction of Sterile Grass Carp in 2013, Hydrilla was seldom seen in the lake until the summer of 2025. Upon approval from the Department of Wildlife Resources, TLAC contracted for sterile grass carp to be released this year.
Sterile grass carp have been used successfully in lakes across the country to help control Hydrilla. The fish were purchased by TLAC, a department of Bedford, Campbell, Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties, after TLAC received a permit from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to stock them in SML. The fish, which range in size from twelve (12) to fourteen (14) inches, were supplied by Keo Fish Farms. Sterile grass carp is not a game fish, and it is unlawful to harvest sterile grass carp from Smith Mountain Lake.
Photo courtesy of Ray Lekich, TLAC Environmental Committee
To understand the impact of the new introduction of sterile grass carp, TLAC began a volunteer Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring Program. The initiative is designed to monitor and document the presence of Hydrilla as well as other non-native and/or invasive vegetation in Smith Mountain Lake. The primary objective for the 2026-2027 season is to evaluate the effectiveness of sterile grass carp and to track changes in the growth of Hydrilla and other aquatic vegetation over time. Data collected will be shared in collaboration with Appalachian Power Company and the Smith Mountain Lake Association to support aquatic vegetation surveys planned for the fall of 2026.
Additional information about TLAC’s aquatic vegetation program at SML, including information about Hydrilla and triploid grass carp, is available on TLAC’s website, www.tricountylakes.org.
Photo courtesy of Ray Lekich, TLAC Environmental Committee
About the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission
The Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) serves as the administrative department for the four Virginia counties surrounding Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake: Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, and Pittsylvania. TLAC was established to carry out lake planning duties as may be assigned by the respective Boards of Supervisors. Such duties may include, but are not limited to, navigation marker issues, aquatic vegetation issues, debris cleanup issues, monitoring of AEP’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License requirements, and coordination with American Electric Power on lake related issues.