Zebra and quagga mussel probelm here in Califronia.

[Redlinerobert]

I wanted to take Gidget out to Camanche in a couple weeks, now it seems I can't launch my boat there because of the county I live in.  >

I have a feeling this issue is going to get worse before it gets better.  

Here is a rundown of the problem.  If you live in Santa Clara or San Benito County, of which I live in SC and Gidget lives in SB to top it off, you can not take your boat to certain lakes.  You guys in the other states have this problem too?

http://www.ebmud.com/services/recreation/quaggazebra_mussel.htm

[roadwarrior]

Here in the Mid-South, redneck is either non-contagious or everyone already has it!

We have no restrictions in state or within the region.

On a serious note, the Tennessee River is a commercial waterway with consideable barge traffic from throughout the country (north to south). It would be very difficult (impossible) to manage a breakout of an introduced species. In some parts of the Mid-West, flying catfish are a growing menace and efforts to control the fish are being tried. Success is still an open question.

8-)

[WRB]

Read "Quagga Mussel Update", Western Bass Fishing forum. Lake Casitas is reopening to outside boats starting 5 May, with a new plan.

Almost all the Caifornia bass lakes have some type of inspection program and clean & dry routine, so it's important to call the lakes before you hual your rig.

WRB

[Zel]

Here is Pennsylvania, we have been dealing with the statewide effects of Round Gobies and Zebra Mussels from Lake Erie for a number of years.  Round Gobies and Zebra Mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes from other parts of the world through ballast water.  It is estimated that every minute 40,000 gallons of foreign ballast water are dumped into US waters.  Also, on any one day, as many as 3,000 aquatic species, from bacteria to fish, are moving around the earth in ballast-water tanks.  Unfortunately, Zebra Mussels are easily transported in livewells, and also cling to trailers and outboards.  Laws and regulations set by Pennsylvania have had little effect, as they most often only reduce or prolong the spread.  There seems to be a recent shift from laws and regulations - to notices and education here in PA.  It has been recognized that with the global economy and ease of travel, people are moving ANS (aquatic nuisance species) around the world and inadvertently around the state.  Although what California is doing might seem noble, I fear as here it will only prolong the spread of ANS.  But what I fear most in CA, and maybe other states to follow, is that when it is realized that it really is a lost battle, they won't reduce restrictions.  And anglers will remain over regulated and unable to utilize the various water resources, if they remain complacent and not fight to put pressure on the politicians and environmental extremists in order to continue and enjoy our waters.  

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Here is Pennsylvania, we have been dealing with the statewide effects of Round Gobies and Zebra Mussels from Lake Erie for a number of years.  Round Gobies and Zebra Mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes from other parts of the world through ballast water.  It is estimated that every minute 40,000 gallons of foreign ballast water are dumped into US waters.  Also, on any one day, as many as 3,000 aquatic species, from bacteria to fish, are moving around the earth in ballast-water tanks.  Unfortunately, Zebra Mussels are easily transported in livewells, and also cling to trailers and outboards.  Laws and regulations set by Pennsylvania have had little effect, as they most often only reduce or prolong the spread.  There seems to be a recent shift from laws and regulations - to notices and education here in PA.  It has been recognized that with the global economy and ease of travel, people are moving ANS (aquatic nuisance species) around the world and inadvertently around the state.  Although what California is doing might seem noble, I fear as here it will only prolong the spread of ANS.  But what I fear most in CA, and maybe other states to follow, is that when it is realized that it really is a lost battle, they won't reduce restrictions.  And anglers will remain over regulated and unable to utilize the various water resources, if they remain complacent and not fight to put pressure on the politicians and environmental extremists in order to continue and enjoy our waters.  

exactly all jokes aside why make it harder for the little man carrying a few zebra mussels when BIG COMPANY is out there carrying billions,,, hindsight is 20/20  like around me on the Chesapeake bay  they are so worried about ME or you catching 1 too many rockfish while the big trawlers are out there catching and killing more then all of us put together in a lifetime will . Its sad  when a company has so much money they have some set aside for any laws they break instead of putting it towards knowledge  and help

[Micro]

We don't have the Zebra Mussel problem in Virginia, yet (a few northern rivers have them).  But given that the Chesapeake Bay is conduit for international ships going to Baltimore, it may be a matter of time.  

The UPSIDE is that Chseapeake Bay Blue Crabs eat zebra mussels like candy.   Studies on the east coast have shown that Blue Crabs, in sufficient densities, will actually eat localized populations of Zebra Mussels into extinction.  

Our main freshwater problem around here is 1) the snakehead, and 2) Hydrilla.

[fourbizz]

Robert, forget Camanche, dinky little spot factory anyway. I know of a great morning and evening spook and popper bite and you guys could catch worm fish too. I'll shoot you a PM. Its closer to you than Camanche as well.

This quagga issue is definitely starting to get ugly in NorCal, its been pretty bad down south all year. I had some problems with it yesterday. The lake I went to does not allow outside boats on the water during the week because there is no one there to inspect them. So I planned on renting a 14ft Alum w/ a 6horse and I brought one of my electrics with me to control it. Now I should have known better, but after the 2hr drive and paying for the rental, the guy at the rental dock informed me that I had to get my electric motor inspected. I couldnt. So I spent 4 hrs trying to swimbait an unfamiliar lake with no trolling motor, in 25MPH wind gusts. What a bunch of crap.

You could always fish the delta

[BaitMS]

flying catfish

8-)

They're actually Asian carp.  

[Redlinerobert]

You could always fish the delta

Now that is funny.   ;D

[Branuss04]

The UPSIDE is that Chseapeake Bay Blue Crabs eat zebra mussels like candy. Studies on the east coast have shown that Blue Crabs, in sufficient densities, will actually eat localized populations of Zebra Mussels into extinction.

Can you ship some of these blue crabs to cali please... i'll even pay for the express shipping.

It is getting way bad.  I went to a lake up in the mountains yesterday, and they did a quick check for zebra mussels.  This lake is nestled in a small community, doesn't get much pressure, but they are going into action as well.  

Does anybody know if they are coming up with some sort of "posion" to kill these things????

[ww2farmer]

Other than beeing non-native, Zebra mussles and gobys have not hurt the fishing here in WNY, they have made it better. Bass gorge themselves on gobys, and crawfish eat zebra mussles, resulting in a stronger forage base.

[5bass]

I believe Tony and Lane (of Sure Life Labs) were doing a study on this problem. Maybe one of them will chime in and shed some light.  

[Micro]

The biggest complaints I've heard about zebra mussels is that they clog things (pipes, pumps, etc), and that they kill native mussles by colonizing on them. Other than that, I really don't know much about them.

I have a friend that fishes for smallmouth either on Erie or Ontaria (can't remember which) in New York and he said the water is very clear now and the fishery has changed over the years and smallmouth are now the primary game fish whereas walleye were years ago. Apparently smallmouth populations are increasing as a result of the zebra mussel and goby (?) and there are a lot of BIG bass.

I have no idea how true that is. But if it is true, it represents a change neither for the good or worse.

[Lane]

I will try and make this response short and to the point.

First off, it is a LOSING BATTLE! It is only a matter of time before every lake that have suitable calcium and PH levels become infected

with the mussels in California. The larvae clings to aquatic vegetation

which is readily spread by waterfoul and other wildlife. Bass boats in

general do not pose a high risk for introduction. Residual livewell water

and bilge pump water pose a risk to a smaller degree. Our Catch And

Release livewell product kills the veliger or larval stage of the mussels,

which are microscopic. 100% vinegar can be poured in the bilge for

a contact time of between 20 to 30 minutes. Anglers should throughly

clean and dry their boats after each use. Anglers should be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Closing the lakes will NOT STOP the spread of the mussels! We addressed the Casitas water board in person and stated this fact.

I also arranged a telephone consultation between one of the nations

top malacologist (mussel expert) and the California Game and Fish

Department. The malacologist told the CGF the same thing. The focus

needs to shift on surveillance and control methods. The main impact

is the fouling of intake pipes by the mussels for municipal water districts and hydroelectric plants. There are a variety of methods currently being used to prevent this fouling, including chemicals

and barriers that surround the intakes. The chemical of choice is

the same chemical/disinfectant that we use in Catch And Release, our formula has a much lower amount than what is used for actual pipe

treatment. There are control methods.

Once the non native mussels take over, they change the eco-system of the lake. Some fish species have shown to benefit from this change while others will decline or become non exsistent. The smallmouth bass have benefitted from the change in the eco-system in the Great Lakes, while the Walleye population has declined. Every organisim goes through population cycles. Mother Nature has a way of keeping everything in relative balance even if it is a non native or invasive species. Bottomline it that they are here to stay. We can control them, but not erradicate them.

[Branuss04]

Lane,

Thank you so much for taking the time to inform us on the situation.  We've all hear rumors about certain things, but now we have the facts straght.  Hopefully things wont get worse before they get better.  Thank's again.!!!!

[TruflShufl]

I hate zebra mussels.