Just got this email from TPWD:

New regulations that took effect May 17, 2012 mean that boaters on Lake Texoma, Lake Lavon and the Red River and its tributaries will have to take additional steps to remove all water from their boat and trailer before leaving for another body of water. These regulations are intended to help stop spread of the destructive invasive species, zebra mussels.
Boaters are already prohibited from transporting invasive species that are visible to the naked eye, such as adult zebra mussels. The new regulation is intended to prevent the spread of zebra mussel larvae, or �veligers,� which are so tiny they can only be seen with a microscope and can survive for days in water trapped in a boat.
Zebra mussels have become well established in Lake Texoma and can spread across Texas on boats and trailers like yours. Zebra mussels can hurt aquatic life, foul your boat, hinder water recreation and even affect our water supply. Once they become established in a reservoir, there is no known way to get rid of them.
To learn more about the new regulations, visit the TPWD website.
Don�t Be A Carrier. No matter where you boat in Texas, always Clean, Drain and Dry your boat, trailer and gear to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, giant salvinia, hydrilla and water hyacinth. Watch this short video to learn how. If your boat is kept or stored on the water in a lake known to have zebra mussels, it will need to be fully decontaminated before transporting or launching it on another body of water.
Hello Zebra Mussels. Goodbye Texas Lakes.
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This is a waste of time and energy.

Zebra Mussels are good for the water. Lakes like Lavon need Zebra Mussels and hydrilla

"Zebra mussels have had positive impacts on parts of the Great Lakes ecosystems. Many native fish, birds, and other animals eat young and adult zebra mussels. Migratory ducks have changed their flight patterns in response to zebra mussel colonies. Lake sturgeon feed heavily on zebra mussels, as do yellow perch, freshwater drum, catfish, and all the sunfish. The increase in aquatic plants provides excellent nursery areas for young fish and other animals, leading to increases in smallmouth bass populations in Lake St. Clair and the Huron River"

http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/main.php?conten...arch_invasive_i

I agree no matter what you do you can't stop them from spreading. It was just a matter of time before they got here.They have not stopped Hydrilla either and stocking grass carp turns a lake into a mud hole.

There are way more migratory birds going from one body of water to another in a day than boaters.

Good luck with that.

That's my biggest question as well. Why do none of the studies or announcements discuss this? Certainly the measures above to clean transoms and live wells will indeed help slow the spread. But, if it's inevitable that the birds will spread them, then why all the extra precautions?

We'd be better served with an open, year-round season on Cormorants. That would probably stop the spread of all kinds of aquatic problems.

I agree, sir! I would love to open up the 12 guage on a few black nasties!

Birds already have spread them along with humans, it's to late,,
Precautions are put in place to show that they are "doing something" Precautions didn't stop Zebra Mussels from first establishing themselves in the Great Lakes, Precautions didn't stop them from expanding on to other lakes and precautions are not going to stop them now.

WOW! RedRanger is back.. Where have you been man?

fighting off evil clowns

Forget transporting....you better do it for your own good. The damage these things cause to boats, motors and trailers is phenomenal.

Amen! Put a bounty of 5 dollars a head.

I've heard alot about zebra mussels but that's about it. Just their name and that they are bad for lakes. I know I could go read about they're negative impact but in a nutshell, what do they do that is so harmful? I see on here this red ranger fellow said they actually help.

+1 on them water turkeys.