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Author:
BigEd
Date:
Oct 29, 2013
Subject:
Zoar zebra mussels - an eye opening trip
Message:
While this isn't really a fishing report I thought this would be the best place to get the word out and possibly make everyone aware that we seem to have a serious problem in the making. If you think zebra mussels are not going to become a problem in Connecticut, PLEASE read this post. We have all been aware that certain waters in the state have been reported as having some zebra mussels in them. Honestly, and foolishly, I never took it as a major threat. I thought reports may be associated to small isolated populations that would probably remain contained to specific areas. I also assumed most of us would not really see any visible effect from this invasive species. I WAS VERY WRONG. I was able to take a ride on the lake during the annual fall draw down and was absolutely devastated at the recently established population of zebra mussels I saw in Lake Zoar. I took hundreds of pictures (sorry cell phone quality) and wanted to share some of what we saw with you guys. I can say that most of the mussels were found in the southern part of the lake. They were found on everything from boat hulls and motors, dock floats and bottoms, limbs, logs and branches in the water, along retaining walls and concrete structures as well as being scattered around rocky areas of the lake shore that would usually remain submerged throughout the season. You didn't have to look to hard to find them. KEEP IN MIND THIS PROBLEM, WHILE KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED, WAS NEARLY NON-EXISTENT ONLY A YEAR AGO! Most of what I captured happened over a short period of time this season. I was astonished how quickly this has taken place. Look at the pics and I urge you all to PLEASE take the zebra mussel threat seriously and follow suggested procedures for cleaning your boats, motors, equipment and even clothing prior to embarking on other bodies of water. This boat was pulled out of Eichler's Cove in Newtown. It would appear that it hadn't been used frequently but the mussel growth on this boat was alarming. I was told the customer had complained about prop cavitation - probably caused by what was growing on the hull. Raw water intakes are blocked and mussels were even found growing inside the prop. [img:f573bc3672]http://images41.fotki.com/v209/photos/5/3080345/12550584/12-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images107.fotki.com/v70/photos/5/3080345/12550584/11-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/5/3080345/12550584/10-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images115.fotki.com/v607/photos/5/3080345/12550584/1-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images53.fotki.com/v1457/photos/5/3080345/12550584/2-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] Barrels from docks show mussels established, even on the slick plastic surfaces. [img:f573bc3672]http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/5/3080345/12550584/5-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images9.fotki.com/v120/photos/5/3080345/12550584/4-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] Normally submerged wood providing area for mussels to cling to. [img:f573bc3672]http://images41.fotki.com/v195/photos/5/3080345/12550584/6-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images62.fotki.com/v1453/photos/5/3080345/12550584/8-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/5/3080345/12550584/9-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] Growth surrounding rocks found during a shoreline walk. Water level was about 4 feet below average here. [img:f573bc3672]http://images107.fotki.com/v780/photos/5/3080345/12550584/7-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images116.fotki.com/v695/photos/5/3080345/12550584/16-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] [img:f573bc3672]http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/5/3080345/12550584/15-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672] They were even growing on the markers in front of the Stevenson Dam. If they are here I would think they are on their way to Lake Housatonic. [img:f573bc3672]http://images53.fotki.com/v1500/photos/5/3080345/12550584/14-vi.jpg[/img:f573bc3672]
Author:
PECo
Date:
Oct 29, 2013
Message:
Lake Champlain has had zebra mussels for 20 years. When I was there in September, every weed I pulled up was covered with tiny zebra mussels. While the economic cost to man-made structures is high, a strong argument can be made that fishing, at least, has improved at Lake Champlain during that time. I'm not saying it will stay that way, because zebra mussels crowd out native mussel species and I believe that a lack of biodiversity is detrimental to the health of ecosystems. However, the fishing in the Housatonic River impoundments might actually improve over the next couple of decades. The water clarity will definitely improve.
Author:
Wanna Fish
Date:
Oct 30, 2013
Message:
I've been fishing the Housy impoundments for years. Lake Housatonic has an established population of Zebra Muscles. Maybe not to the extent of those fascinating pictures you posted but you can spot them below and above the dam. It's been suggested that the problem has extended down the Housy from Mass. East twin Lake I believe was the first discovered population. Three years ago while fishing Twin Lakes at night you would be able to see the veins in weeds submerged 20+ feet below the surface with a flashlight. I fished a night event there this year and was amazed at how the water clarity diminished. Some claim after the muscles clean their food source they diminish. But in a river system they have a constant replenishing of water with a food source that is plentiful. I do bleach my live wells and hull after every use. Simple process and "very inexpensive." But unless all anglers and boaters (Pleasure and Fisherman) do the same (which 'm sure very few do" the Zebra Muscle issue is not going to be resolved any time soon.
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