Zebra mussels - Mille Lacs Lake Fishing (Fishing Reports, Events, Tournament Information and more)

2050Skeeter · Member

Zebra mussels

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

I wonder if there is anything that kills these little suckers. Everything has natural enemies, so maybe the DNR will come up with something that'll eliminate 'em, or at least slow their population growth. They were all over the bottom of my boat this year.

Fife · Formica Flat Vet

I hear those Asian Carp really like them. confuse

Could you imagine if those ended up in Mille Lacs?

Wheres Waldo · Member

I am getting very concerned about these darn things. I had read that they were first found in the North or Northeast part of the lake. Last year when pulling out the dock and lift some were found on the legs and wheels and such. This year it was 3-5 times as many as last year. Our cabin is South of Portside. That is a long way to travel in a relatively short amount of time.

Jon Jordan · Member

Like any new invasive, there will be a population explosion. Then a die off and general reduction in total population. I think anyone can take a look at lake Winnebago in Wi as an example of what will probably happen at Mille Lacs. Yes, they will change the lake and the way we fish it. But it is not the end of the world.

Google >>> lake winnebago zebra mussel

There are some interesting articles and reports on that system.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Howdy Fisherman at Hunter's Point: I hope this information will be helpful on
Zebra Mussels.

Out West, in Colorado State Park waters for example, there has been quite a serious campaign against zebra mussels since January, 2008 leading to a well run boat and trailer inspection program to prevent the spread of the nasty invasive little guys. This was implemented in Pueblo Reservoir where I do a lot of summer and fall boatingwhen I cannot be at Mille Lacs.

In Colorado:
Zebra mussels have been found at Lake Pueblo in January 2008. They are a non-native invasive species that spread very quickly, having harmful effects on the environment. Zebra mussels attach to hard surfaces and are known to clog intakes and engines on boats, as well as pipes and water transport structures. They also have had major impacts to fisheries in other states.Here is a good current website for western waters:
http://parks.state.co.us/Pages/Zebra%20Mussels.aspx

Here is another extract from that report for Pueblo Reservoir in Colorado:

In efforts to try to contain the spread of zebra mussels and other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), Colorado State Parks Board recently approved statewide inspections of boats and trailers. They will be implemented at Lake Pueblo April 26, 2008 and expand this to other parks that have been identified as high risk for transport of zebra mussels or other aquatic invasive species. See news release for complete information.

The boat and trailer inspection program has worked well at Pueblo Reservoir
as the boat ramp areas have a great post fishing / staging area for draining your boat engine and ensuring your are free of the invasive critters.

Hope this is helpful,
Malmo Mike

gpalma · Member

The only fish that eats them on the Winnebago system to my knowledge are the Freshwater Drum (Thunderpumper). God gave them fins so they could swim as a freshwater joke. They do bounce real well off the gunnel of the boat and I have entered a few into the Sheepshead Olympics with the best doing a double gainer with a full twist.

Do NOT leave any of the blood on a Lund because it is more corrosive than the blood of a Zenomorph.

-- Edited by gpalma on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 09:41:05 PM