Thread: Ask the Biologist

Craig is the effort and any funds spent on controlling zebra mussels wasted ? I mean its a matter of time right? Perry, Eldorado, Cheney, Marion, and now Wilson. We're gonna have to learn to live with them so whats the short on how they'll affect fishing in our lakes in say 5 years? thanks

No kidding on the horse muscles, that really worries me. I don't know how it will affect brush piles in 15 ft of water. Can you even jig in them anymore without cutting your Power Pro or will the crappie use them when they are full of shells from muscles.

The worst part is it's only a matter of hours before Hillsdale has them, that lake gets more traffic than any a lake 1/2 it's size should. I have a little pond just down the street from my house in my neighborhood and we drain the livewell when we get home. I hate the smell that fish scum makes in a closed livewell after a short while, but when I drain my well it runs down the road about 40 yards into the storm drain into the pond 50 yards from there. You can't tell me the water doesn't make it to the pond and that thing will be full if I don't watch my use and there is only one person to blame if that happens. Sucks when you have to drain a full livewell 4 times a week. :D

Originally Posted by go dart

Craig is the effort and any funds spent on controlling zebra mussels wasted ? I mean its a matter of time right? Perry, Eldorado, Cheney, Marion, and now Wilson. We're gonna have to learn to live with them so whats the short on how they'll affect fishing in our lakes in say 5 years? thanks

Go Dart,

The efforts and money spent on zebra mussels are not a waste. The longer a water body remains zebra mussel free, the less the environmental and economical impact. The fewer infested waters we have means there are fewer places for lake users to "pick up" zebra mussels which lessens the chances of another new infestation. The control practices that are recommended for zebra mussels also stop the spread of many other aquatic nuisance species that can damage our lakes and fisheries.

It is still very disappointing the number of people that fail to follow the recommended control practices to prevent the spread. Clean, Drain, and Dry is pretty simple! Moving lake water from one drainage to another is one of the biggest problems but one of the easiest for a person to avoid. Before you leave the lake, PULL THE PLUG!

You've asked the million dollar question...What will it be like in 5 years? I could rattle on about what has happened at El Dorado during the first five years but each lake will probably react slightly differently. As zebra mussels densely colonize shorelines (and ANYTHING else in the water) line abrasion from the sharp shells will cause many break offs and lost fish. Habitat for fish degrades as brush, rock, and other hiding areas can become completely "clogged" with zebra mussels. Competition increases for forage fish and larval sportfish as the filter feeding of the zebra mussels removes plankton from the water column. Now El Dorado will also be dealing with white perch in addition to the zebra mussels. Yes, we do still have fish at El Dorado but these fish will be facing many more challenges than they had to before the invasion of the zebra mussels and white perch.

In case you all haven't heard yet, zebra mussels were discovered in Milford Reservoir earlier this week. You can go to
ZEBRA MUSSELS SPREAD TO MILFORD RESERVOIR / KDWP Info / KDWP - KDWP

for more info.

thanks Craig. Sad. Clearly the spread is due to fisherman/boaters who care little if any about keeping our lakes clear of these invaders. Now with so many lakes polluted with em the drainage will also serve to spread the "bad news". Its encouraging to see your attitude about slowing the spread and I know many of us will remember that.

Is there rules to follow when putting brush in lakes. Was thinking about sinking some in Marion but I do not want to get into trouble. Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Originally Posted by bluewater

Is there rules to follow when putting brush in lakes. Was thinking about sinking some in Marion but I do not want to get into trouble. Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

bluewater,

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ultimately controls where and what can be put in to the federal reservoirs in Kansas. Your best bet would be to call and check with the Marion USACE Office. The number is 620-382-2101.

Craig,

When does KDWP publish the 2010 Kansas Fishing Forcast?
I'm anxious to see how my favorite fishing holes rank this year.

Thanks
Tim

Originally Posted by fishingtim

Craig,

When does KDWP publish the 2010 Kansas Fishing Forcast?
I'm anxious to see how my favorite fishing holes rank this year.

Thanks
Tim

Tim,

The 2010 Fishing Forecast should be out within the next couple of weeks. The data has been compiled and the biologists are adding their ratings and double checking the numbers. We are using a new system to organize the numbers for all of the lakes sampled in 2009 and it has saved a lot of time. So if all goes well, the 2010 forecast will be available earlier in the year than previous forecasts.

Keep checking the KDWP website (Fishing / KDWP - KDWP

) as the online 2010 Fishing Forecast will be available before the printed versions.

Thanks for the info.
I like that KDWP makes there lake sampling information available to the Kansas anglers. I haven't seen any others states that provide this type of fishing forcast. Thought they could be out there, just haven't ran across them for the out-of-state lakes I occasionally fish.

Here's a VIDEO

on the 2010 Fishing Forecast.

The 2010 Forecast has not been posted on the KDWP website but should be up soon.