A few words about Prospects
Prospects is a modification of monitoring surveys written by the biologists managing those bodies of water referenced.
The data is gleaned from sampling fish populations, creel surveys, and other fisheries research. Fishing success of course varies with the experience of the angler, gear and method, weather, or any of a hundred variables. Hopefully the information found here will help anglers shave those odds down a bit.
If a particular body of water is not mentioned here do not assume it detracts from that body. Many streams and impoundments were passed over due to insufficient data. There are far too many bodies of water in Missouri for our biologists to survey each of them. Ultimately the test of any lake or stream is to fish it. We encourage you to perform your own survey.
Any questions or comments should be directed to:
Fisheries Information Specialist, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0180.
Definitions
Some mathematic symbols are used throughout this publication.
The following definitions may make this publication more effective for you:
- “<" means less than", “≤" means “less than or equal to".
- “>" means “greater than". “≥" means “greater than or equal to".
- Fish are reported in inches and are measured for total length.
Watch Out For Missouri’s Most Unwanted — Zebra Mussels
Native to the Caspian Sea region of Europe and Asia, zebra mussels were first seen in North America in 1988, and by 1989 they could be found in all of the Great Lakes. By 1992 zebra mussels could be found throughout the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. Zebra mussels were first documented in Missouri in 1991 in the Mississippi River adjacent to St. Louis, and were observed in the lower Meramec River in 1999. In 2000, zebra mussels were found attached to a trailered boat at Lake of the Ozarks. Unfortunately, in 2006 zebra mussels were discovered in Lake of the Ozarks, and can now be found in many areas of the lake. In 2007 zebra mussels were discovered in the Osage River downstream of Bagnell Dam, and dead shells were collected in Lake Taneycomo.
Zebra mussels have caused considerable damage in areas they have invaded. Because of their unique habit of attaching themselves to hard surfaces, zebra mussels regularly clog water intake systems for industry and water treatment facilities. In areas with large infestations, millions of dollars are spent each year to control zebra mussels and keep structures clear, costs which are ultimately passed on to taxpayers and consumers. Zebra mussels can also impact navigation, recreational boating, and fishing. By attaching to boat hulls they create drag, resulting in decreased fuel efficiency. They can also clog engine cooling systems. When zebra mussels die, their razor sharp shells wash up on beaches and gravel bars, making them unsafe for swimmers. Zebra mussels also cause impacts to the systems they invade, including significantly reducing plankton, thereby possibly affecting larval fishes and other organisms, and directly impacting native aquatic organisms such as crayfish, fingernail clams, and native freshwater mussels.
While the initial spread of zebra mussels was most likely the result of canals and commercial barge traffic, their spread into smaller rivers and lakes is by trailered recreational watercraft. Zebra mussels can be transported inside inboard and outboard motor systems and associated equipment on boats as larvae, or attached to boat hulls or mud and plants attached to trailers.
Zebra mussels are small, fingernail sized clams with a hard, triangular shaped shell that has alternating light and dark stripes (hence the name zebra), that has a prominent ridge making it sharp. Also, there can be a conspicuous patch of hairs, known as byssal threads, that are used to attach to hard surfaces. Zebra mussels also have a free swimming larval stage, known as a veliger, that can also be easily transported in water left in livewells, engine cooling systems, and possibly bait buckets. Unfortunately, these larvae are too small to see without a microscope, and could very easily be missed. Adult zebra mussels can attach to the hull, trim plates, or propeller. If the hull has a sandpapery feel, there could be young zebra mussels attached. Be sure to carefully inspect any nooks or crannies and out of the way places around the intakes, trim tabs, and other areas of the motor. Larval zebra mussels, even though unseen, could be in engine cooling systems, livewells, bait buckets, or water left in the boat.
There are a number of chemicals that will control zebra mussels, but these are also toxic to native freshwater mussels, snails, and other organisms. By far the best method to prevent the spread of zebra mussels is to follow “clean boating” suggestions:
- Carefully inspect boats, trailers and other equipment that has been in the water before moving to a new location. Be sure to closely inspect nooks and crannies around intake screens, trim plates, etc.
- Remove suspected zebra mussels, along with vegetation or other material clinging to boats and trailers and put it in a trash container. Drain water from the boat and livewell before leaving the ramp.
- Rinse boat bilges, trailers, motor drive units and live wells with HOT water (104 degrees) with a hard spray, such as at a commercial car wash.
- After rinsing, allow boats and other equipment to dry in the sun for at least five days before re-launching.
- Report suspected zebra mussels to the Conservation Department.
- If your boat remains on the water, run the boat at high speeds to remove attached mussels, and if possible leave outboards or outdrives in the up position.
To learn how to identify zebra mussels, write to MDC, "Zebra Mussel Watch Card" and "Zebra Mussel: Missouri’s Most Unwanted," P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Or send a request for these publications to pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov. Keep in mind that in Missouri and other states and provinces, it is illegal to transport harmful exotic species like zebra mussels.