Zebra Mussels in Fish Trap

[ThunderLund78]

Unfortunate but inevitable.  For those of you who venture 30 minutes west of Brainerd to the Lincoln Lakes area.  Fish Trap is such a nice lake, I hope the zeebs don't take hold too harshly, that water is already very clear and, I think, relatively infertile.  I think the boat launch inspections are about as ineffective as most people do, but it really does suck to hear when one of your favorite lakes gets added to the infestation list.  If you've dropped your boat in 'Trap recently, be aware.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/dnr-morrison-county-lake-infested-with-zebra-mussels/

 

[ANYFISH2]

You know thunder, we had noticed over the past number of years that the lake seemed to be getting clearer and the weed line seemed to grow deeper.  By the sounds of the Investigation the population is quiet established, it sounds as if they have been there for quiet some time.

I love Fish Trap, I hope it all balances out right in the end.

[ThunderLund78]

I hear ya, Anyfish.  I have no idea if it's related or not, but I have been having an incredibly off-year on 'Trap. The patterns just don't seem to be on-par with past years. Once the infestation was confirmed, it got me wondering... While the water itself more clear, but there seems to be an increase in the "floating green blobs" of algae. Also there seems to be more slime fowling-up my walking sinker when pulling Lindies for Walleye.  I've read that the waste the zeebs create can contribute to certain algae growth.  However, I haven't seen a noticeable decline in the little fish swimming around, forage still seems to be plentiful. But that's anecdotal from just what I observe in the shallows. I've also read that perch can actually benefit from zeebs, but there's no shortage of them in Fish Trap as it is.  I think the fish are still there, but they might be starting to adapt and switching up their routines.  Guess I'll just have to go fishing more to figure it out!

[ANYFISH2]

The slime you speak of has been horrid this year for sure!

I too, have struggled this year as well.  But, that has certainly happened  before.

Have you noticed a decline in the size of the bass?  It sure seems like 13-14" are plentiful, but the usual 16-18" fish have become few.

[ThunderLund78]

Now that you mention it, yes.  We caught some dandies last year but this year has mostly been under 16" .  I'm probably not the best guy to talk to, though.  My two boys are now 4 and 7 so I'm spending most of my time developing them into expert young anglers (AKA untangling lines) rather than really concentrating on my own fishing  That alone could explain my off year.  But the few times I've been out have been very tough going.  I'll be on Trap this weekend, we'll see if anything has changed.