OutdoorMN News - Zebra mussels confirmed in Bowstring Lake in Itasca County

[Rick]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in Bowstring Lake, located mostly within the Leech Lake Reservation in Itasca County.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

[Kettle]

Will be interesting to see what this does to the water clarity of the lake as it's pretty dark. I thought this lake could see some pretty rough effects from this news

 

[Hookmaster]

It was inevitable. I can't believe it took this long. The early season shallow water bite may dwindle.

[Kettle]

I'd catch walleye routinely throughout the summer in less than 14ft. I worry it'll congergeate fish deep and people will thin them out quickly, huge fan of that lake.

[Wanderer]

I’ve only been to the lake once and didn’t fish.  When you say it’s dark, is that bog stain?

[Kettle]

Yea bog stained or some type of sediment. The water clarity is only like a foot, hence why I used gold color on that lake so much

[Wanderer]

I won’t stake my biology degree on it, but the root beer type bog stain shouldn’t go away with zeebs.  Dark algae filled water might though.

 

I should let you know though, my degree came out of a Cracker Jack box.

[Kettle]

More insight than I have, I have a biochemistry degree that I don't remember anything from and just used it to get into grad school. I'm partial to the lake because it's easy to fish and I'm no expert!

[papadarv]

Bowstring river, north end of Bowstring lake, connects to Sand lake via the Bowstring river where water flow through Sand lake and goes north up the Big Fork River. Zebras have been in Sand for 7 years. Prior to 2013, water clarity was consistent between the 2 lakes at about 5 - 7 ft. Within 5 years, water clarity on Sand went to 14' and weed lines extended to 11'. Zebra population explodes for about 5 years, than 70% to 80% die as there food source (algae) is depleted. Walleye fishing does change to deeper water, later change of light into night. If you like Sunfish, you will find a lot more at 9" to 10" as they feed on Zebras which are extremely high in protine. This same cycle occurred on Ottertail lake with Zebras found 8 year ago. Recently large Sunfish are being caught in Ottertail which is unusual as ottertail never had a panfish population.

P.S. Had great news yesterday, my Leukemia went into complete remission, so I'll again be on Ottertail before the end of August chasing walleye and sunnies.

 

[smurfy]

That's really great to hear. Go gettem!!