Clean, Drain, And Dry

[mojorig]

Now that Zebra Mussels are in Bull Shoals Lake, we are asking everyone to take a second and make sure your boat is dry. By taking a second, we as anglers can ensure that we are not contributing to the spread of zebra mussels to non-infected waters.

Here is an example of how easy it could be to spread Zebra Mussels. The attached picture is a leaf we found while scuba diving in the back of Jimmy's Creek. There are well over 30 individuals on the single piece of leaf. I also attached another picture showing how they cluster up on anything.

I just wanted to pass this info along to all of you.

[Feathers and Fins]

Jeremy I have to get to work but if you would;

What impacts do you see them having on our lakes?

Is there any talk of taking actions to help stop the spread?

[mojorig]

To be honest, we are not sure the impacts. The zebra mussel population is still expanding in Bull Shoals. Basically they can be found all over the lake. Education of user is the only real way to stop the spread of the mussels.

Here is a response I and AJ gave from MDC to an email I received from a walleye angler asking about the impacts of the Zebra Mussels:

My response:

Zebra mussels are filter feeders. They can cause the water to become clearer. They are highly efficient at filtering plankton from the water. Thus they can directly compete for the same food sources as the larval and fingerlings sport fish. They also compete with a lot of the forage species though all of their life stages. Zebra Mussels can clog out intakes and as you saw make fishing some areas difficult. The effects I have mentioned have been observed in other places that have been infested by Zebra Mussels.

For Bull Shoals, the jury is still out about the impact of the zebra mussels in the lake. Their population is still growing and expanding so it will be many years till we know the true impacts of them in Bull Shoals. We don’t believe there will be a real noticeable impact on the water clarity but there might be some impacts on competition for food with the young sport fish and forage species. Bull Shoals is already an unfertile waterbody expect for high water years and the years following a high water event.

I wish I had a more definitive answer but at this point, we are just speculating.

AJ Response:

I believe Jeremy summarized the situation very well. For the past seven years the mussels have spread to most of the lake and in some places are abundant. Only time will tell how much of an impact the species will have on the lake.

Lake of the Ozarks has been infested with zebra mussels for a longer time than Bull Shoals. There the population expanded quickly and became very abundant. However, the population sharply declined in 2012 and is now starting to increase again. Will their populations be cyclical in Bull Shoals? Will the population negatively impact the sport fish populations? At this point no one knows for sure.

One thing is certain and that is anglers, boaters, and other lake users need to be aware they are potential vectors to spreading this invasive species to other water bodies (i.e. Norfork, Table Rock, Beaver, Greer’s Ferry, etc.). Therefore, we all need to make efforts to properly clean, drain, and dry boats, trailers, and other equipment before launching on other water bodies. Education and taking steps to prevent the spread of the mussel is really where our focus needs to be at this point and is something we all can and should do.

[Feathers and Fins]

Thanks Jeremy, I guess time will tell.

[Nitroman]

Yeah, I am sure you will get the pleasure boaters & jet-skiers to " GIVE A S_ _T " !!!!!!!

[SmallyWally]

Yeah, I am sure you will get the pleasure boaters & jet-skiers to " GIVE A S_ _T " !!!!!!!

Exactly.

[mojorig]

Yep, you all are correct about other users.

[Ham]

Do the Drum and Red Ear Sunfish eat them?

[mojorig]

Ham, yes they do along with Blue Catfish.

[Ham]

Can we stock a crap Tom of Red Ear Sunfish then? I miss catching them.