MOUNT OLIVE TWP. — Efforts to manage Budd Lake are presenting a new challenge for Mount Olive officials: invasive plants have been successfully treated, but the native vegetation that provides habitat for fish has been slow to return.
The condition of the lake came up during the Aug.18 Township Council meeting after Council President Alex Roman shared what he has noticed while fishing there.
“One thing I noticed this past week ... is that fish are harder to get because they are not hiding,” Roman said.
Roman said areas of the lake that once provided cover for smaller fish appear different, particularly near the bog.
“I recall prior, especially by the bog side, there was a lot of lily pads, which made for a great place for the bait fish to hide and grow,” Roman said. “Of the bass that are being caught, they seem to be smaller.”
Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko said the township has a lake consultant conducting surveys every two weeks as officials track vegetation and other conditions in Budd Lake.
Tatarenko said one positive development is that the township did not need to treat invasive plant species this year following treatment last year. However, native vegetation has not returned as officials had hoped.
“It’s a complicated ecosystem there,” Tatarenko said. “This year we didn’t treat for any invasive species, which is good — that means our treatment last year worked. But the good vegetation is not growing yet, so that’s another problem.”
Algae has presented another challenge. Tatarenko said algae can prevent sunlight from reaching the bottom of the lake, affecting the vegetation officials want to see grow.
The township recently conducted a targeted treatment after samples confirmed the presence of harmful algal blooms, commonly known as HABs.
More information about what’s growing beneath the surface could come in September, when the township’s lake consultant is expected to conduct a more comprehensive review of the vegetation.
“Our lake consultant is going to do a full vegetative survey in September to see what’s growing and what’s not growing,” Tatarenko said.
Tatarenko said the township has also made the consultant’s biweekly survey reports and the 2025 annual report available on its website for residents who want to follow conditions at the lake.
Roman said maintaining natural habitat for people who fish at Budd Lake should remain part of the township’s considerations as it manages the waterway.
“I think another thing that we should also keep in mind is that we try to keep that lake natural for the fishermen that do partake,” Roman said.