mussels in the pond

[beagle man]

Is that normal? pond got way low this year and I been noticing a bunch of Mussels on the bank, looks like coon tracks and lots of open shells, shells range from fingernail size to 6 in long... my question

how in the world do they get there... I have not transplanted any bass from the lake....

[MOfishmgr]

They came in with fish. When mussels reproduce the lavae are called Glochidia. They are the size of a grain of sand and attach to the fish and form a tiny cyst. After spending a few weeks on the fish they become tiny mussels and drop off the fish and settle to the bottom of the pond. We are hearing lots of folks finding mussels on the dry banks this year with the water down.

[MOfishmgr]

They could have come in with the original stock of fish and you are just now seeing them due to the low water.