Freshwater Mussels?

[KevinC]

Hey all,

I am a student studying American freshwater mussels. I live in Massachusetts where unfortunately there are not that many mussels to find. I am looking for people who come across the little (sometime not so little) buggers when outdoors. I would love anyone who finds the muskrat/raccoon middens on the side of the rivers/lakes (or how ever they come across the mussels) to box up a bunch of paired fellas big or small and send them my way. I am only looking for spent/dead/empty shells, not live specimens. I collect and study and write about all the different species. I'm not concered about big or small, the more different species the more exciting to me. Anyone who would be able to help me with my studies by just picking up a bunch of the ones you find while fishing would be a HUGE help in my studies. I would certainly compensate you for your effort and of course pay for shipping too. The only requirements would be that you provide matching paired (not single) valves and that they are not totally broken (they don't have to be absolutely perfect with no chips at all, but the cleaner with their natural "skin" the better). I've been trying to make contacts with people across the country that naturally run into mussels while out fishing or hiking that might be able to just pick up shells they come across without it being a big hassle for them. I can't thank enough anyone who would consider assisting me with this project. You can contact me through this site or directly at kczaja@harvard.edu. Thank You!!!!! And good fishing!!!

-Kevin

[KevinC]

68 nibbles but no replies!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Your requirement that they be attached halves presents a problem. I see the small ones on a regular basis, but not complete ones.

[smallmouthjoe]

Hey man, have you gotten in contact with anyone at Missouri State? A couple members of our AFS subunit are grad students who study mussels and I'm sure that they could help you if you wanted.

[Al Agnew]

I'll keep you in mind when I'm on the rivers, but you gotta realize that this is a bad time of year to be asking this. Most of us who fish in the winter fish out of boats, don't spend much time on the gravel bars, and with the shorter daylight hours probably aren't willing to take the time to walk around on the gravel bars looking for mussel shells.

But it's an interesting project, and mussels are interesting critters. Some Ozark streams have about as much mussel species diversity as anywhere in the country. On others, the mussels are in trouble due to pollution problems.

But like I said, I'll keep an eye out, and if I see any good ones I'll save them for you.

[fishinwrench]

I'll keep you in mind when I'm on the rivers, but you gotta realize that this is a bad time of year to be asking this.

In his defense: He did ask originally back in August. Somehow the thread got buried I think....cuz I never even noticed it until today.

I've got Zebra's by the bucketfulls, from scraping them off lower units before servicing. Like Wayne said though, finding very many matched halves is hard.... when you're actually trying to.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

All I've ever noticed while wading are snails... mainly in the White at Rim Shoals.

Hopefully we do not have a problem with mussels is Taneycomo.

Brian

[KevinC]

I want to thank everyone for the thoughtful replies and suggestions. Yeah this is not be best time of the year unfortunately. I should also point out that I only study native freshwater mussels (not invasive Asian Clams or Zebra mussels). The asian invasives are about the only bivalves that could be confused with a native freshwater mussel, however, the Asian invasives never grow much larger than a inch; whereas, almost all native mussels grow over an inch (and up to 10 inches). Also, I should also clarify that I don't need the two halves of the mussel to be still attached. I just would prefer to see both matching halves of the mussel (even if they are separated). Again, thanks to everyone. I hope you catch some big fish in the upcomming year (and perhaps find a few mussel shells along the way ).

-Take care, Kevin

I'll keep you in mind when I'm on the rivers, but you gotta realize that this is a bad time of year to be asking this. Most of us who fish in the winter fish out of boats, don't spend much time on the gravel bars, and with the shorter daylight hours probably aren't willing to take the time to walk around on the gravel bars looking for mussel shells.

But it's an interesting project, and mussels are interesting critters. Some Ozark streams have about as much mussel species diversity as anywhere in the country. On others, the mussels are in trouble due to pollution problems.

But like I said, I'll keep an eye out, and if I see any good ones I'll save them for you.

[KevinC]

Well its been a long while and my studies continue. I thought I'd bump the discussion and hope for the best. I would still love to see any freshwater mussel shells people might come across.

-Thanks, Kevin

I want to thank everyone for the thoughtful replies and suggestions. Yeah this is not be best time of the year unfortunately. I should also point out that I only study native freshwater mussels (not invasive Asian Clams or Zebra mussels). The asian invasives are about the only bivalves that could be confused with a native freshwater mussel, however, the Asian invasives never grow much larger than a inch; whereas, almost all native mussels grow over an inch (and up to 10 inches). Also, I should also clarify that I don't need the two halves of the mussel to be still attached. I just would prefer to see both matching halves of the mussel (even if they are separated). Again, thanks to everyone. I hope you catch some big fish in the upcomming year (and perhaps find a few mussel shells along the way ).

-Take care, Kevin

[Quillback]

I did not see this thread until now, every once in a while I drag some shells up while fishing a football jig in the local lakes, big mussels, maybe 4 inches in length, dunno if you are interested in lake mussels, but if so I will save them should I bring some more in.