Zebra mussels and how it affects walleyes in winter

[Guest]

I just got back from an evening walleye fishing the deep south end gravel with my dad. We dropped an aqua view where we had our house and were surprised to see loads and loads of zebra mussels on the rocks. We also only marked 1 fish all evening although we did catch 2 walleyes. Typically, we see many fish on the vexilar on this spot and usually do pretty well early in the season but not today. What kind of an affect do zebra mussels have on how fish relate to structure. Was the lack of fish that we seen related to all the zebra mussels of was it just coincidence. Thanks and good luck fishing!

[fatfinger]

Fishing the st.Louis bay alot in the summer I've noticed when im into the zebras im not into the fish.coincidence? Maybe.result of invasives?maybe.result of an ancient curse levied against my boat to shut down the walleye bite? Most likely.seriously tho im sure that there is an affect, however major or minor it may be.assuredly fishing in zebra infested waters will never be the same again.

[Stick in Mud]

I'm not sure one trip out is a large enough sample size from which to generalize about the effects of zebra mussles on fish presence in a particular spot.

[Guest]

carmike,

I agree, that's why I ask. I don't want to come to any conclusions after one outing. just seems weird as I have never seen that before

[willyfahey]

You are not alone in what you've seen on the rocks this year. I have had the same experience. My guess is that the zebra mussels are beginning to affect bait movements and habitat. I believe thus situation pushes everything out and that's why you are hearing better fishing reports off the mud

[kapp]

you may be right fishing may change but it will not be impossible to catch fish. take a look at lake erie which has had zebra's long before mille lacs

and maintains a higher population of them than mille lacs, well the walleye fishing there is exceptional! better than mille lacs!

[gregg52]

what do those zebra's feed on plankton??

can they survive out on the mud or will they stay on the rocks and closer to shore ??

do they just cling on rocks or can they be like on sand to???

does anything feed on them????

[Guest]

I seen a blanket of them on the gravel last week

[Jack Stasney]

what do those zebra's feed on plankton??

can they survive out on the mud or will they stay on the rocks and closer to shore ??

do they just cling on rocks or can they be like on sand to???

does anything feed on them????

Here is a good article.

http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/biology/a_zm.html

[gregg52]

Thanks jaxstas

Interesting article

I wonder long it will be before the DNR will want to put sturgeon in mille lacs!!!!...lol

[Stick in Mud]

Interestingly enough, I've talked to a lot of people who've also noticed a decided lack of fish in their early season spots....especially during the "prime time hours" around sunrise and sunset. I'm fishing on the northwest end, and BY FAR the best bite for everyone I've talked to has come after dark. I've got zeebs under the house, and I've got zero fish under the house until it gets dark. Then it's been lights out.

[CaptainMusky]

Could there be any correlation to your observations to the zebras effectiveness at filtering the water column? Effectively clearing up the water hence making the day bite non-existent? We all know walleyes dont like the bright sun in the first place and are predominately a night time feeder, but there could be some credibility to a less daytime bite in areas infested with sebras though I dont know if its going to be measureable or not.

[chris63]

This eye was caught at midday the only thing is all the eyes are SUPER skinny!!The perch and norskys are fat and happy the eyes seem to be weak and depressed.Zebras?Time will tell!c63

[Stick in Mud]

They're not all skinny....though a few definitely have the "big head, tiny body" syndrome going on.

And for what it's worth, the water in the lake is not all that clear, at least where I'm fishing. I usually sight fish in 10 ft of water, and this year it's not worth it because I can barely see the jig. Have others also noticed that the water is a bit dingier?