Zebra Mussels In Bull

[mojorig]

All,

I posted that response. The response was to a question posted by an angler on Basscat Forum. There were several other people the responsed before I did so that is the reason the response was so long. That gentleman posted the same question on BassBoatCentral and I posed the same response. I will be glad to answer any questions.

Thanks!!

[raise the motor]

Update on zebras in Gulley Spring area.

In December I visited the same shoreline that had a large mussel infestation in November. The water level was down about one foot and all of the mussels on rocks previously in the water, but now exposed, were dead. The nunber of mussels now evident on rocks at the lower shoreline was greatly reduced. Perhaps as few as 20% of the previous number.

Hopefully the fluctuating water level will curb population growth somewhat. Mojorig will fluctuating water levels diminish the ultimate density, or only delay the inevitable? The posted pictures of worst case conditions are alarming.

I have no interest in fishing for the Drum that eat the zebras but it would be nice to see an expanded yellow perch population in Bull Shoals.

Joe

[Bluff-Bassin]

Not sure exactly how deep they can survive but I've free dove and found them pretty far down. They've made it most of the way to theodosia. I snagged one north of spring creek yesterday.

[Ham]

I think BSL from now on will always have Zebra mussels, but maybe the water level changes will keep them from becoming and overwhelming problem. I'm not sure what dock owners are going to do to deal with them.

[Fish24/7]

Not sure exactly how deep they can survive but I've free dove and found them pretty far down. They've made it most of the way to theodosia. I snagged one north of spring creek yesterday.

looks like they made it to theodosia

found this rock about 50' from the launch

[Fish24/7]

zebras are foul little creatures who pollute the waters with their waste , and their body contains even more pollutants

this waste sits on the bottom contaminating the food source for bottom dwelling aquatic critters

.. i feel sorry for those bass who dig through the zebra covered rocks to find craws, OUCH!

this is a serious issue, we should take note

As significant filter feeders, zebra mussels may increase human and wildlife exposure to organic pollutants such as PCB's and PAHs. Early research shows that zebra mussels can rapidly accumulate organic pollutants within their tissues to levels more than 300,000 times greater than concentrations in the environment. Through the introduction of another invasive aquatic fish, the round goby into Lake Erie, the problem of contaminants up the food chain have been exacerbated---the gobies prey primarily upon zebra mussels, and then, they in turn are preyed upon by smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, and walleye, which angler catch and eat. These contaminants can be passed up the food chain so that any fish or waterfowl consuming zebra mussels will also accumulate these organic pollutants. Likewise, human consumption of these same fish and waterfowl could result in further risk of exposure.

[mojorig]

Yes, they are now from one end of the lake to the other. We have received calls from citizens that have found them as far down as Dam Park. The guys at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock have found them as deep as 80 feet below their docks. Unfortunately, the adults can de-attached from rock and move deeper during falling water, if the fall is slow.

Ham is correct that for now they are here and we must figure out a way to live with them.

Right now, I wish I had a better answer right now but there are more questions than answers.

Joe, We really haven't got many reports of yellow perch being caught in the lake, this year, so we are unsure what their population numbers are at this time.

[raise the motor]

Joe, We really haven't been getting any report about yellow perch being caught in the lake so we are unsure what their population numbers.

If correctly identified, one fishermen netted some small fish while collecting shad and another fisherman identified a small one in the belly of a fish. I believe both were in the upper lake/river area.

I would love to see a stocked population but realize the zebra problem must be handled carefully. The experts will come up with the best response.

The resulting toxin problem is another concern for any who eat fish from the lake.

Joe

[Diamond City Fisher]

My wife caught this Zebra Mussel off a bluff in the Diamond City area a couple of days ago (1/19). They are doing well in mid lake.

[Bluff-Bassin]

Z Musscle JPEG.jpgMy wife caught this Zebra Mussel off a bluff in the Diamond City area a couple of days ago (1/19). They are doing well in mid lake.

Sadly, that seems about a once per trip occurrence anymore for me. If you pull up any sort of wood limbs or branches with a bait you can expect it to have a pile of mussels to go along with it.