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ENLARGE
Denis Peirce
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ENLARGE
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Norm Sauer and Frank Rinella, both past presidents of the Gold Country Fly Fishers, last week fished for steelhead on the Trinity River.
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In a development that may be considered inevitable, the Department of Fish & Game announced another body of water added to the list of waterways now hosting the New Zealand Mud Snail.
Last month, it was confirmed that this non native species is present in Shasta Lake.
The New Zealand Mud Snail reproduces rapidly and can crowd out native insects that aquatic wildlife depend upon for survival. They were first discovered in California in 2000 in the Owens River in Mono County. Other bodies of water and the counties in which they have been found include tributaries of the Owens river (Inyo/Mono), Putah Creek (Yolo), Lower Calaveras River (Calaveras/San Joaquin), Mormon Slough (San Joaquin), Lower Mokelumne River (San Joaquin/Sacramento), American River (Sacramento), Rush Creek (Marin), Lower Napa River (Napa), San Lorenzo River (Santa Cruz), West Antioch Creek (Contra Costa), Alameda Creek (Alameda) as well as some Southern California Creeks.
What you can do to prevent the spread of NZMS:
n Have extra waders and boots for use in infested waters only. Store them separately.
n After leaving the water inspect waders, boots, float tubes, boats and trailers, dogs and any gear used in the water.
Last month, it was confirmed that this non native species is present in Shasta Lake.
The New Zealand Mud Snail reproduces rapidly and can crowd out native insects that aquatic wildlife depend upon for survival. They were first discovered in California in 2000 in the Owens River in Mono County. Other bodies of water and the counties in which they have been found include tributaries of the Owens river (Inyo/Mono), Putah Creek (Yolo), Lower Calaveras River (Calaveras/San Joaquin), Mormon Slough (San Joaquin), Lower Mokelumne River (San Joaquin/Sacramento), American River (Sacramento), Rush Creek (Marin), Lower Napa River (Napa), San Lorenzo River (Santa Cruz), West Antioch Creek (Contra Costa), Alameda Creek (Alameda) as well as some Southern California Creeks.
What you can do to prevent the spread of NZMS:
n Have extra waders and boots for use in infested waters only. Store them separately.
n After leaving the water inspect waders, boots, float tubes, boats and trailers, dogs and any gear used in the water.
n Remove visible snails with a stiff brush and follow with a rinsing.
n If possible, freeze or completely dry out wet gear before reuse.
n Never transport live fish or other aquatic animals or plants from one body of water to another.
The DF&G press release did not give details of where in Lake Shasta these snails were found. Shasta is the first non-river listed as having these snails present. Water from Shasta travels extensively throughout the state and the potential for future spreading is considerable.
Another looming problem is Quagga and Zebra mussels that first invaded North America in the Great Lakes region. Quagga mussels were found in the Colorado River in early 2007 and later in several bodies of water in San Diego and Riverside counties. The most recent finding of Zebra mussels came from the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County. This is the first population of this destructive invasive species to be found in California waters.
An angler fishing in the San Justo Reservoir last week reported landing a clump of what appeared to be mussels. These mussels and a sample collected by DFG biologists were then verified to be Zebra mussels by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
No mussels have been detected on artificial substrates in the San Luis Reservoir, which flows into the San Justo Reservoir, or in the O'Neill Forebay. So far, mussels have not been found anywhere in California's State Water Project, which draws its water from Northern California watersheds. Department of Water Resources regularly monitors for Zebra and Quagga mussels throughout the State Water Project, one of the largest water and power systems in the United States.
n If possible, freeze or completely dry out wet gear before reuse.
n Never transport live fish or other aquatic animals or plants from one body of water to another.
The DF&G press release did not give details of where in Lake Shasta these snails were found. Shasta is the first non-river listed as having these snails present. Water from Shasta travels extensively throughout the state and the potential for future spreading is considerable.
Another looming problem is Quagga and Zebra mussels that first invaded North America in the Great Lakes region. Quagga mussels were found in the Colorado River in early 2007 and later in several bodies of water in San Diego and Riverside counties. The most recent finding of Zebra mussels came from the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County. This is the first population of this destructive invasive species to be found in California waters.
An angler fishing in the San Justo Reservoir last week reported landing a clump of what appeared to be mussels. These mussels and a sample collected by DFG biologists were then verified to be Zebra mussels by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
No mussels have been detected on artificial substrates in the San Luis Reservoir, which flows into the San Justo Reservoir, or in the O'Neill Forebay. So far, mussels have not been found anywhere in California's State Water Project, which draws its water from Northern California watersheds. Department of Water Resources regularly monitors for Zebra and Quagga mussels throughout the State Water Project, one of the largest water and power systems in the United States.
Both species of mussel range in size from microscopic to the size of a fingernail. Boats are the primary transporters of Zebra and Quagga mussels. Mussels attached to watercraft or trailers can be transported and spread to other water bodies. Water in boat engines, bilges, live wells and buckets can carry mussel larvae (veligers) to other water bodies as well. A mussel infestation can potentially lead to the closure of boating in affected waterways. San Benito County Public Works closed San Justo Reservoir to all boating activity.
The main risk of mussel introduction in California is from trailered boats. It is important to follow the steps listed below and to cooperate with vessel inspections that are being conducted at a number of Cal Department of Food & Agriculture border inspection stations around the state to help prevent the spread of Zebra or Quagga mussels to any water system.
All boaters and anyone who accesses freshwater aquatic environments should take the following steps to inhibit the spread of mussels when leaving the water:
n Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch
n Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly, preferably with high pressure/hot water
n Remove all plants and animal material
The main risk of mussel introduction in California is from trailered boats. It is important to follow the steps listed below and to cooperate with vessel inspections that are being conducted at a number of Cal Department of Food & Agriculture border inspection stations around the state to help prevent the spread of Zebra or Quagga mussels to any water system.
All boaters and anyone who accesses freshwater aquatic environments should take the following steps to inhibit the spread of mussels when leaving the water:
n Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch
n Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly, preferably with high pressure/hot water
n Remove all plants and animal material
n Drain all water and dry all areas
n Drain and dry the lower outboard units
n Clean and dry all live-wells
n Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters
I expect that we will be hearing of more such infestations into the future. I think that power washers will become standard accessories for boat owners that move their boats from lake to lake. Either that or have lots of quarters to use at the car (boat& trailer) wash.
ooo
Denis Peirce writes a weekly fishing column for The Union and is host of "The KNCO Fishing & Outdoor Report," which airs 6-7 p.m. Fridays and 5-6 a.m. Saturdays on 830-AM radio. He may be reached via e-mail at denisp@theunion.com
n Drain and dry the lower outboard units
n Clean and dry all live-wells
n Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters
I expect that we will be hearing of more such infestations into the future. I think that power washers will become standard accessories for boat owners that move their boats from lake to lake. Either that or have lots of quarters to use at the car (boat& trailer) wash.
ooo
Denis Peirce writes a weekly fishing column for The Union and is host of "The KNCO Fishing & Outdoor Report," which airs 6-7 p.m. Fridays and 5-6 a.m. Saturdays on 830-AM radio. He may be reached via e-mail at denisp@theunion.com
