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Zebra Mussels
#13329204
11/01/19 02:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
papa J
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2 |
So I have a question about zebra mussels. I recently fished Lake Texoma and found out they are infested with Zebra Mussels. What is the proper cleaning of the boat. All I find is clean , drain and dry boat. My normal routine is when I come out of the lake I let the motor all the way down and let drain while I wipe the boat down. But is that enough or does that leave any in the cooling tubes? Do I need to flush the motor ? Then on the live well , I always drain the live well and when we get home I wash and clean the live well. But is that good enough ? I know I have a pump that will pump out of the live well and pump back into the lake , in which I used on Texoma. Is just running water in there enough to clean ? What else should I do. In the Texas panhandle we don't have any Zebra Mussels and I don't want to spread. I fished Texoma on Saturday 10/26. It has been out of the water since then , except ice storm we had this week. Just wanted to fish this weekend and wanted to make sure it is clean before I head to the lake. TIA , Jeremy
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Re: Zebra Mussels
[Re: papa J]
#13347223
11/20/19 12:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 166
Jessa
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 166 |
Zebra mussels?! Is this just a problem in one region of TX or is it spreading?
โJessaโ
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Re: Zebra Mussels
[Re: papa J]
#13347514
11/20/19 12:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,835
Osbornfishing
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,835 |
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a problem in much of the United States. The mussel is native to the Caspian, Azov, and Black Seas. It was first found in the Great Lakes Region of the United States in the 1980s. In Texas the zebra mussel has infested at least 17 lakes in 5 river basins but there are more waterbodies showing positive samples. There are also several lakes that are suspect of having mussels. These mussels are a huge problem for both infrastructure and the aquatic health of a waterbody.
Here is the posted status from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Page:
Infested Lakes
Seventeen Texas lakes in five river basins can be classified as fully infested with zebra mussels, meaning the water body has an established, reproducing population: Austin, Belton, Bridgeport, Canyon, Dean Gilbert (a 45-acre Community Fishing Lake in Sherman), Eagle Mountain, Georgetown, Lady Bird, Lewisville, Livingston, Lyndon B. Johnson, Pflugerville, Randell (local Denison access only), Ray Roberts, Stillhouse Hollow, Texoma, and Travis.
Positive Lakes
Zebra mussels or their larvae have been detected on more than one occasion in Lakes Dunlap, Fishing Hole, Granger, Grapevine, Lavon, McQueeney, Placid, Richland Chambers, Walter E. Long, Waco, and Worth. So far there is no evidence of a reproducing population in these lakes. River reaches downstream of infested lakes, including portions of the Colorado, Guadalupe, Lampasas, Leon, Little, Red, and Trinity rivers, are also positive for zebra mussels.
Suspect Lakes
Zebra mussels or their larvae have been found once in recent years in lakes Fork, O.H. Ivie, and Ray Hubbard.
Inconclusive Lakes
Zebra mussel DNA or an unverified suspect organism has been found in several Texas lakes in the past year.
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Re: Zebra Mussels
[Re: papa J]
#13347526
11/20/19 12:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,318
RedRanger
burro desagradable
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burro desagradable
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 30,318 |
So I have a question about zebra mussels. I recently fished Lake Texoma and found out they are infested with Zebra Mussels. What is the proper cleaning of the boat. All I find is clean , drain and dry boat. My normal routine is when I come out of the lake I let the motor all the way down and let drain while I wipe the boat down. But is that enough or does that leave any in the cooling tubes? Do I need to flush the motor ? Then on the live well , I always drain the live well and when we get home I wash and clean the live well. But is that good enough ? I know I have a pump that will pump out of the live well and pump back into the lake , in which I used on Texoma. Is just running water in there enough to clean ? What else should I do. In the Texas panhandle we don't have any Zebra Mussels and I don't want to spread. I fished Texoma on Saturday 10/26. It has been out of the water since then , except ice storm we had this week. Just wanted to fish this weekend and wanted to make sure it is clean before I head to the lake. TIA , Jeremy Just drain you boat and livewells. Zebra are also transported by birds and heavy rains, this is just another scare tactic played upon the general public by TPWD.
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Re: Zebra Mussels
[Re: papa J]
#13347875
11/20/19 06:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,835
Osbornfishing
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,835 |
Taxpayers have already spent a great deal of money dealing with zebra mussels, including removing pumps and cleaning intake structures. The problem is quickly getting worse. In the Great Lakes area clean up and repair costs are estimated at $3.1 billion dollars in a 10 year period. Draining and drying boats is a stop-gap measure. Unfortunately, based on the biology of the mussels, attempting to drain and dry boats will probably not change the final outcome. However, if you inadvertently are found to transport zebra mussels, an invasive species, you can receive a fine of $25 to $500 and more in restitution.
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