White Lake Zebra Mussels

[Alex Bull]

It appears White Lake is now full of Zebra Mussels. I have been there for a number of years and this is the first time I have seen them start to take over the lake. Took this from a news article:

In 2016 the WLPP Science Committee did an extensive

assessment of zebra mussel distribution. Samplings were

done on the NW shore behind Hardwood Island, Three Mile

Bay, Pickerel Bay, The Canal, The Narrows and in the White

Lake Village Basin. All sites had zebra mussels. Most were

found to be attached to the smooth surfaces of docks,

boats, etc., and on all aquatic‐plant species. So far few if any

were found on rocks but some were found on the exposed

underside of rocks. On one 4‐ft long milfoil (common aquatic

plant in White Lake), 172 zebra mussels were counted. Using

average numbers for such counts, a very crude estimate of

zebra mussel numbers was done assuming that they are on all

water plant species. The calculation showed that about one

billion mussels are now in the lake. Most of them are small

indicating that these are mostly the new generation of 2016.

[MichaelGA]

Any assessment on their impact?

I know the Mississippi River has benefited from them.

[Alex Bull]

http://www.wlpp.ca/

[lapointeric]

Any assessment on their impact?

I know the Mississippi River has benefited from them.

Is that right? In what way? (not being sarcastic, genuinely interested).

E

[MichaelGA]

I'm not a scientist so don't freak out on me for using the wrong terminology.

The Mississippi River (Ontario) had a lot of water quality problems, mainly due to run-off and drainage from farms. In essence it had a huge load of algae / bacteria and organic stuff.

Since the mussels have arrived the water has cleared a lot and fish are doing better. Being a semi-closed system, damns/weirs at CP, Appleton and Galletta also limited the amount of food for some of the fish, now they seem to be eating the mussels.

Overall it hasn't been the doom and gloom as predicted, is this short term - it could be as these are just based on my observations and those of whom I meet on the river.

[WhitESOX]

fish, now they seem to be eating the mussels.

From what I heard the lowly Sheephead has taken a liking to these nasty things. That and crayfish. Either way disappointed to hear this - will start bleaching the live well after visits there...

[Markus]

I sold my great lakes fishing boat to a guy on White Lake a decade ago. Not saying it's the cause, but thats how stuff like this happens.

[Alex Bull]

A few photos have been posted online.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/100982146727194/

[lebbesymosumi]

White Lake was also tested for invasive species in 2011, in particular, for zebra mussels and spiny water flea, in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH). White Lake did not have spiny water flea or zebra mussel veligers (larvae) present in the samples collected.

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