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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152 |
TPWD released information that Zebra Mussels have been found in another lake near Sherman, Texas. These little guys are very bad news. I would encourage a good boat and engine cleaning to anyone who uses their boats in public waters then on their own lakes. Heres the link to NBCDFW: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Zebra-M...-362972071.htmlTPWD: its under news media/releases
 Good land management is an extended learning experience-Aldo Leopold
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
I do know small mouth bass and other ducks have kept them from getting out of control in lake Erie. Every bass we have taken out of Erie were full of zebra mussels.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,383 Likes: 606
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,383 Likes: 606 |
This problem only continues to get worse. I propose we develop a new "franken-fish". There are many Pond Bossers who are adept at improving fish genetics. Surely they can come up with a hybrid bluegill-parrotfish that will spend its days happily munching on zebra mussels  The other option is a tilapia-gizzard shad cross that will filter every single zebra mussel veliger out of the water column. Heck, Rex can probably knock that out this winter since he won't be on the road saving people's ponds Best wishes to everyone on PB this holiday season!
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 249
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 249 |
Our freshwater sheepshead feed primarily on zebra mussels. I've watched them while snorkling. They move along slowly at a 45 degree angle to the bottom, grazing on them like aquatic cows munching a pasture. Then they'll level out and swim along, you can hear them grinding and crunching them up. They'll do an action that looks like a cough and spit out a big cloud of zebra mussel shells. No wonder they get 20 pounds or better! In areas they frequent, the bottom is inches deep with zebra mussel shells. I believe the pumpkinseeds take some too. Doesn't matter, the mussels are so thick... You'd need more fish than water to make a difference.
Last edited by Hollywood; 12/18/15 07:38 PM.
Pond Boss subscriber
Would those that say "it can't be done" please refrain from interrupting those that are doing it...
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 97 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 97 Likes: 1 |
Every lake in north and central Texas overflowed this past May-June and every river in Texas runs south to the Gulf of Mexico. Washing boats and motors seems too little too late.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Our freshwater sheepshead feed primarily on zebra mussels. I've watched them while snorkling. They move along slowly at a 45 degree angle to the bottom, grazing on them like aquatic cows munching a pasture. Then they'll level out and swim along, you can hear them grinding and crunching them up. They'll do an action that looks like a cough and spit out a big cloud of zebra mussel shells. No wonder they get 20 pounds or better! In areas they frequent, the bottom is inches deep with zebra mussel shells. I believe the pumpkinseeds take some too. Doesn't matter, the mussels are so thick... You'd need more fish than water to make a difference. IMO Freshwater drum (sheepshead) is great as table fare. Sounds like stocking them is a win win! 
Last edited by Bill D.; 12/18/15 07:57 PM.
![[Linked Image]](http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=11852&filename=I_subscribe_zps2qlyoyn2.gif) Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152 |
Whether flood or no flood, IMO its just good practice to clean boats-just would love to limit territory expansion.
Good land management is an extended learning experience-Aldo Leopold
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
+1 Don't forget to empty and clean the live wells
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 249
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 249 |
IMO Freshwater drum (sheepshead) is great as table fare. Sounds like stocking them is a win win! Problem with that is, mussels are a filter feeder. They are loaded with whatever contaminants are in their environment. Fish that feed on them magnifies that contamination thousands of times over. That's one of the reasons round gobies entering the picture here locally is a big concern. Before them, the contaminants stayed in the mussels, not the bass, perch, walleyes, etc. The gobies eat primarily mussels, get loaded with bad stuff... Then get eaten by our gamefish. Bad combo.
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Would those that say "it can't be done" please refrain from interrupting those that are doing it...
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Good advice in general IMO. If the BOW has toxic contaminants, don't eat the fish.
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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