Zebra Mussels, Walleye and A Shallow Lake

[esoxlee]

I live on a waterfront home on a very shallow lake in southern Ontario. Average depth of about 6 to 8 ft with the deepest spot of about 23 to 27 ft. Those zebra critters appeared in the lake 4 yrs ago and now they're everywhere. Consequently, the normally murky water is really starting to clear up now. Some experts believe that in such a scenario, the walleye population will suffer because 23 ft is just not deep enough to reduce light levels. Has anyone heard of other lakes where zebra mussels have adversly affected the walleye population?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Zebra Mussels, Walleye and A Shallow Lake

It's not just Walleye....it's affecting many speices. It's upsetting the eco-system in a terrible way-very quickly.<br />Chemical is the only treatment, and besides starting over, getting the correct permits (If they can even be obtained) is causing alot of issues and slowing the progress of erradication.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Zebra Mussels, Walleye and A Shallow Lake

They do filter an awful lot of water but clog water intakes and cling to everything. On the Ohio the bluecats and channels literally have bloody mouths from eating these things. Must hurt coming out the other end though. Have not seen it affect fishing yet but am sure that it will.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Zebra Mussels, Walleye and A Shallow Lake

They start at the begining of the food chain...zoo plankton, phyto plankton...the food the hatch of the year depend on. The chain reaction kills off young of the year, and over several years time the fish biomass per acre declines, and the fishing slows in both quality and quantity....it's a bad deal.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Zebra Mussels, Walleye and A Shallow Lake

Generally a very bad deal. But in some waters, they are clearing up the water which creates more weed growth in the deeper areas. The weed beds create a habitat for minnows and fry.<br />The walleyes are actually using the zebra mussles as a "gravely" spawning bed. <br />Even so, it is a terrible and drastic change for the ecosystem.