Fishing Column: Don't let zebra mussels ruin your summer
Published 11:24 pm, Friday, July 20, 2012
Invasive species and plants including zebra mussels continue to be a potential problem in Connecticut's waters.
In an effort to stem the spread of these species the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is continuing to ask boaters and fishermen to watch for the presence of invasive plants and animals.
Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah in 2010 and Lake Housatonic in 2011. These were the first new reports of zebra mussels in Connecticut since 1998 when they were discovered in East and West Twin Lakes in Salisbury.
The zebra mussel is a black and white-striped bivalve mollusk, which was introduced into North American waters through the discharge of ship ballast water.
Since its discovery in Lake St. Clair in 1998, the zebra mussel has spread thru the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River system and most of New York State, including Lake Champlain and the Hudson River.
More recently both zebra mussels and quagga mussels (a related species and also highly invasive) have been expanding their range into a number of western and southwestern states.
One of the problems that zebra mussels can create is that they often encrust piers, lift stations, and boats, sometimes leading to costly repairs. They often attached themselves to underwater piping and as a result can impair water flow.
There are also preliminary indications that some invasive species can have a negative impact on property values.
Like the zebra mussel, numerous invasive plants have been introduced into Connecticut waters. These invasive plants can form dense mats, making boating, fishing, swimming and other recreational activities nearly impossible.
Through education, boaters can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. And with the help of volunteers, we can ensure that boaters across the state are receiving the proper information about invasive species.
Actions anglers and boaters must take to prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals, including zebra mussels, are as follows.
Before leaving a boat launch: Clean: all visible plant, fish, and animals as well as mud or other debris. Do not transport them home.
Drain: all water from every space and item that may hold water.
At home or prior to your next launch dry anything that comes in contact with water (boats, trailers, anchors, propellers, etc) for a minimum of one week during hot/dry weather or a minimum of four weeks during cool/wet weather.
If drying is not possible, clean your boat prior to the next launch. Wash your boat with hot, pressurized water.
Dip your equipment in 100% vinegar for 20 minutes prior to rinsing. Other precautions include washing with a 1% salt solution (2/3 cup to 5 gallons water) and leave on for 24 hours prior to rinsing.
Or use a "Wet" with bleach solution (1oz to 1 gallon water) or soap and hot water (Lysol, boat soap, etc) for 10 minutes prior to rinsing.
When fishing do not dump your bait bucket or release live bait! Avoid introducing unwanted plants and animals. Unless your bait was obtained on site, dispose of it in a suitable trash container or give it to another angler.
Also, do not transport fish, other animals or plants between water bodies. Release caught fish, other animals and plants only into the waters from which they came.
For more info on zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species, visit the DEEP's website at www.ct.gov/deep/invasivespecies.
Last week the department issued a press release announcing a new round of studies into lobster population health in Long Island Sound.
That press release included results of tests for pesticides in the hepatopancreas or tomalley of the lobster that showed trace amounts of methoprene in one of four groups of lobsters and resmethrin in three of four groups.
The press release also contained the following statement regarding human consumption of lobsters.
"When it comes to human health and safety, the detection of pesticides in the organs from a small number of lobster samples does not warrant a change in consumption advisories now in place -- which remind consumers that tomalley can be high in contaminants and should not be eaten. DEEP staff also notes that the pesticide compounds would tend to accumulate most in fatty tissues and not at the same levels in the lean meat of lobsters typically consumed by people."
What this means for consumers and seafood dealers is that there is no reason to make any changes in the consumption or sale of Connecticut lobsters based on information released by DEEP last week.
The pre-existing health advisory on consumption of the tomalley remains in effect and should continue to be followed.
So go ahead and have those lobsters you've been dreaming about.
Thanks to the extremely hot and muggy weather most anglers stayed off the water last week. And those that did fish found, for the most part, slower than normal fishing action.
Last weekend, Lynne Youdin caught a 25-pound striped bass while fishing on Budd's Reef. The big linesider was taken on a chunk of bunker.
Jose Lopez caught a 36-inch striper and a 15-inch porgy while fishing inside Stamford Harbor. The bass was taken using live bunker and the porgy was taken on a strip of squid.
Mike Lanlois caught four fluke while fishing in 35 to 45-feet of water off Buoy 16. His largest fluke measured 21 inches and was taken on a squid and spearing combo.
Dan Agar took over first place in the Annual Sportsman's Den Flue Contest. He grabbed the lead with a 7-pounder.
Pete Miller and his 13-year old twins, Julia and Jonathan, fished with Capt. Mike Black last Thursday. The kids caught their limits of porgies while dad got skunked. Jonathan caught the largest porgy. It measured 17 inches and was taken on squid. Earlier in the week Pete says he caught a 37-pound striper inside Stamford Harbor using a live bunker for bait.
Paul McFarland caught a limit of porgies up to 16 inches at the Stamford Cows. He was using squid for bait.
Clem, from Stamford Boat and Motor, caught a 32-inch bluefish in Stamford Harbor. He was using fresh bunker for bait.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and part of the Outdoors Writers Association