Zebra Mussels Spreading in Texas

[Shannon Drawe]

I am wondering how the news of zebra mussels spreading in Texas lakes is traveling to other parts of the US? I have been covering it pretty heavily on my site (to the point of spinning off a site dedicated solely to this topic), and it seems like everyone is just resigned to the spread of this invasive throughout Texas waters.

I know other parts of the country have been dealing with zebra mussels for years, and years. What were the stages of change in your waters, and how did it effect your fly fishing in these waters? I mean, do you just get used to it, and eventually forget they are even there?

I realize that we aren’t talking about a native trout being endangered, or some dam stopping the natural migration of some endangered fish, or a pebble mine, but maybe somebody can talk me in off the ledge on what it means to us here?

[Mark Schafer]

The zebra mussel was supposed to be the death of lake Erie,and for a time it was a significant problem in boat motors, water intakes and a general pain in the ass. But after maybe ten years now the problem has subsided to the point that I don’t hear much of anything about it from my fishing friends, some of the trolling Walleye fisherman will pick them up on their spoons. On the positive side the lake is much cleaner now from  a casual view point, and that has caused sun light to penetrate deeper increasing the aquatic plant life near shore, and at one time I read that each mussel filtered a gallon of water a day. I’m not sure what impact that will bring to your waters and how it will differ with your water being so much warmer. Of course now  all the attention is on the Asian carp issue in lake Erie.

[Shannon Drawe]

Thanks for that information. We are just at the beginning of this, and tendencies are to blame government for inaction and fear the worst. Clearer water on these shallower lakes probably means huge areas where vegetation will choke out fishing.

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