Living near Cleveland I've seen both the benefits and drawbacks that zebra muscles have had on certain bodies of water. Personaly, in my opinion it's been a plus for Lake Erie in certain respects. However, many of the local lakes are now infected with this animal. Some it's helped (filter out polution and increased water clarity on very dingy lakes), but of course there is such a thing as too much water clarity.

Anyway, I've been trying to manage a friend's 3 and 1/2 acre lake. A few times I've taken emerald shiners or fatheads bought at the local bait shop to fish with. I always check whats left to make sure no undersireable fish are mixed in before dumping them in the lake and leaving.

Still, the other day it hit me...Fatheads are usually pen raised but as far as I know emerald shiners are not. My point is that I'm now worried about the risk of zebra muscle contamination. I did a little reading and the larva stage of a zebra muscle is too small for the naked eye to see. Not good, but from what I gather they breed when the water temperture raises above 55. Being that I've only used minnows out there for ice fishing thus far are the odds lower for infestation? Hate to walk up there one day and see thousands of zebra shells washed up on shore.

One other thought. We've stocked about 180 shellcrackers to control any potential snail/parasite problems that might pop up. Has anybody seen any studies that indicate that shellcrackers will feed on at least young zebra muscles? Also curious if they can be used to eradicate them from lakes already infected.