Zebra Muscle Shells

[zarraspook]

Ky3 tonite at 6pm said that the Zebra Muscles have "Invaded" Pom De Terre lake !!!

Anybody know what and where they were found and what sanctions that the MDC is putting on the lake ????

[oneshot]

Ky3 tonite at 6pm said that the Zebra Muscles have "Invaded" Pom De Terre lake !!!

Anybody know what and where they were found and what sanctions that the MDC is putting on the lake ????

Don't know where they were found but anyone that has their Boat in there needs to run by Car Wash soon as they pull out.

Heard also Invasive Snails in the Niangua River.

oneshot

[laker67]

Don't know where they were found but anyone that has their Boat in there needs to run by Car Wash soon as they pull out.

Heard also Invasive Snails in the Niangua River.

oneshot

The snail is called a "Chinese Mystery Snail". It is about the size of a chicken egg. You can google "invasive snails in missouri" and read about the ones found in the niangua river.

[rps]

This may sound cynical so I apologize in advance.

Does anyone really think zebra mussels will not eventually wind up in all the Missouri or Arkansas lakes and streams? It only takes one thoughtless person to infect a lake or river, and, as the posts on this board report, there are way more than one of those.

That does not mean you shouldn't take preventative steps. It only means we should not kid ourselves.

[oneshot]

This may sound cynical so I apologize in advance.

Does anyone really think zebra mussels will not eventually wind up in all the Missouri or Arkansas lakes and streams? It only takes one thoughtless person to infect a lake or river, and, as the posts on this board report, there are way more than one of those.

That does not mean you shouldn't take preventative steps. It only means we should not kid ourselves.

I was thinking the same plus it doesn't help with all the Tournaments anymore going from Lake to Lake.

oneshot

[shockley32]

I've heard the rumors as well. Hope this doesn't mess things up.

Brad

[walleyeless]

I've heard the rumors as well. Hope this doesn't mess things up.

Brad

I have fished many waters with Zebra mussels for quite a few years. Short term fishing seems affected, but the system seems to stabilize after a short time. The worst problem is in clogging of pipes and the like. A benefit is clearer water and I have heard that it can cover the lake floor locking in poisons like mercury, over time reducing levels in fish.

Even though it is likely correct to blaim boats, it would also seem possible to me that as Pomme de Terre is eventually connected to the Missourri and Mississippi that they could have followed that channel as well.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Even though it is likely correct to blaim boats, it would also seem possible to me that as Pomme de Terre is eventually connected to the Missourri and Mississippi that they could have followed that channel as well.

I doubt they could get over 3 dams, even if they were mobile. They can be a disaster for fishermen because their shells are very sharp. The only way to consistently avoid cut lines is by using heavier lines, not recommended in the clear water they create or changing habits.

They are still on the move in the smaller lakes in the US and I don't think there are any facts pointing to what the end results will be.

While I agree everyone should take precautions to not spread them, many won't and its probably inevitable that they will spread through out the area.

[shockley32]

Wayne,

That pic is great!

Brad

[denjac]

“Don’t move a mussel” during Labor Day weekend

Boaters can keep the clammy hands of invasive species off Missouri waters.

JEFFERSON CITY – With Labor Day coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation is urging boaters and anglers to be aware of the danger that invasive aquatic plants and animals pose for Show-Me State waters and take measures to prevent their spread.

Invasive Species Coordinator Tim Banek said zebra mussel larvae, known as velligers, were found in recent surveys of microscopic plants and animals at Pomme de Terre Lake in southwest Missouri. He said that as adults, the fingernail-sized invaders could interfere with the established food chain in Missouri lakes and streams, making them less productive for sport fish and replacing native animals.

“We don’t know exactly what changes might occur, but other areas where zebra mussels have taken hold have experienced ecological changes that were bad for fishing and tourism,” said Banek. “Missourians can avoid spreading zebra mussels with some reasonably simple precautions.”

Banek urged the thousands of Missourians who will be out fishing and boating during the long Labor Day weekend to take the following precautions:

· Inspect submerged portions of boats for adult zebra mussels after each use. Adults are fingernail sized with dark and light stripes. Small zebra mussels give hard surfaces a sandpapery feel.

· Check trailers, ropes, minnow buckets and anything else that was in the water. Report any suspected zebra mussels to the nearest Conservation Department office.

· Remove suspected zebra mussels, along with vegetation or other material clinging to boats and trailers and put it in a trash container.

· Rinse boat bilges, trailers, motor drive units and live wells with water at least 104 degrees if live zebra mussels are found, or if your craft has been in waters known to be infested with zebra mussels. Most commercial car washes meet this standard. Allow boats and other equipment to dry in the sun at least five days before re-launching.

Anglers have a special role to play in preventing the spread of other invasive aquatic plants and animals, such as the rusty crayfish and Asian carp. One of the best things anglers can do is dispose of live bait properly. Unused bait should be placed in trash bags and deposited in trash receptacles away from water. Never release unused bait – whether fish, worms, crayfish or anything else – into lakes or streams unless it came from the same water.

Boaters can prevent invasive plants and animals from hitching a ride by draining all water from bilges and live wells and removing vegetation and other trash from boats and trailers when they move them from one body of water to another.

More information about invasive aquatic species prevention is available at invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/main.shtml.

-Jim Low-