There are several lakes in Texas that have a Zebra Mussel infestation.
Has anyone heard of or have witnessed first hand the negative effects they have had so far on those lakes?

Chrystal clear water, line frays and the need to wear shoes if wading. None are a big deal too me.

Folks who have boats slipped at marinas, marina owners and the water treatment plant folks aren't happy with the mussel build up on their equipment.

We have had them in Lake Belton for a while now. They do hurt to step on. I and others have noticed that freshwater drum seem to make up more of the catch than they used to when fishing for whites/hybrids. One theory is that they can eat zebra muscles and have a new food source. Seems like a population has gone up a lot lately. I guess that is negative if you don`t like catching drum.

I heard they eat the same stuff shad eat

For me the only negative thing I have noticed is that they hurt to step on. Haven't noticed more break offs, clearer water or anything of that nature. It seems to me that a lot of lakes had a bloom and then nature evened them out and they aren't that bad anymore.

Gonna kinda equate to being careful around barnacles.

has anyone figured out how to eat them,....I love clams, oysters, mussels,...etc.

Wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that those freshwater drum (Gaspergou) were placed there to combat them!
They are not bad eating, and will hit artaficials, and they put up a good fight.

The only negative I have seen is the line breaks... fishing jigs or worm on the bottom rocky shore is a sure lost rigging. The second worse thing is catching a drum on a worm, jig or spinner bait thinking I have a lake record bass until it reviles itself.

At Bridgeport we caught drum as fast as slab hit the bottom all summer. They are eating the zebra mussels. We was definitely breaking line pretty easy when bass fishing early last summer. If mine touched rock or anything it was done. Got better and doesn�t seem to be an issue. Seems like they�ve died down.

+1 on a booming population of the GasperGou (drum) - Lake Ray Roberts. I don't know what they eat, but they chase and eat flies.

Personally I think Gou eat better than bass...And if you in for the fight Gou can do that too..so I guess thats a couple ++

Other than invasion of unwanted Zebras

Son lives in Geortown, Texas. Says lake Georgetown has them now.

They are attached to everything!

You can actually eat those Drum?