To learn more about Clean Boats, Clean Waters, contact Latimore at or (517) 432-1491 or visit. The Michigan program is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of more than 30 university-based programs in coastal states across the country administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Michigan Sea Grant report on mussel infestations can be found at. They found one individual with genes that did not fit. (Photo courtesy of Greg Marks/NOAA) The invasive species that changed the game When Marsden and a colleague collected the first quagga mussel in the Great Lakes system, they were studying zebra mussel genetics. "Then contact the Michigan Sea Grant Extension educator nearest you." Quagga mussels from fish trawl sample in Lake Michigan, August 2006. "If you find what you think is a zebra mussel in a lake or stream that is not already on the list of infested lakes, note the date and the precise location where you found it, store it in rubbing alcohol and take a picture of it (several, if possible)," said Rochelle Sturtevant, outreach specialist for the Great Lakes Regional Sea Grant. Michigan law now also prohibits placing a boat in state waters if it has an aquatic plant attached (exceptions are made for wild rice).Ĭitizens can help prevent the introduction of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species into more of Michigan's waters by participating in Clean Boats, Clean Waters. Know the Law: Michigan law prohibits possessing or transporting any live transgenic (genetically engineered) organisms, several live nonnative fish and many nonnative aquatic plants, including entire plants, fragments and seeds, as well as hybrids and genetically engineered variants.Dispose of unwanted live bait in the trash.Drain water from equipment (boat, motor, trailer and live wells) before transporting it.Inspect and remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting recreational equipment.Latimore said boaters should complete the following steps when moving boats: "Boaters can be especially helpful in slowing the spread of the pesky mollusk and preventing damage to their equipment," said Jo Latimore, specialist in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, who coordinates the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership and Michigan's Clean Boats, Clean Waters program. The state spends millions of dollars each year in an attempt to slow the spread of the organism and the Michigan Sea Grant provides research and education for the cause. They have primarily invaded Oakland County, which has 51 infested lakes, followed by Livingston County with 17, Cass County with 14 and Branch County with 11.Īccording to Michigan Sea Grant, zebra mussels upset ecosystems, threaten native wildlife and damage structures. The Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, recently confirmed Zebra mussel infestations in 255 Michigan inland lakes and in 17 of the state's rivers and streams.Īll reports of zebra mussel infestations have come from lakefront property owners, other interested citizens and resource managers who found adult colonies of the mussels clinging to surfaces such as boats, docks, rocks, dams and water pumps.Ī small freshwater mollusk, the zebra mussel has been invading America's rivers and lakes since 1988. So I would say they certainly have a beneficial role in terms of eating invasive mussels, and in general being a native fish to the lake.EAST LANSING, Mich. They’re omnivorous and eat a lot of mussels (mainly zebra/quagga mussels in Lake Michigan) along with invertebrates and baitfish like shad, shiners, gobies, and alewife. “They inhabit the shallow nearshore waters, harbors, drowned river mouths, and so forth, although occasionally you’ll catch one a mile or two offshore while salmon fishing. “In terms of Lake Michigan, freshwater drum are a native nearshore species,” Dickinson emailed. Indiana also has no bag or size limits on drum. We do not actively manage this species in Lake Michigan and you are correct that there are no size or bag limit restrictions for drum in the State.” “A pretty good shore fishery has developed along the Illinois shoreline in recent years and I know of people that now targeting drum from shore in Chicago and up the north shore at certain times of the year. “Freshwater drum (aka sheepshead, croaker and gaspergou) are native to Illinois and Lake Michigan,” Santucci said.
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