Zebra
Mussels Found in Nepco Lake, Wisconsin
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Blue bill ducks, a favorite target of Lake St. Clair hunters,
have dwindled so fast that now there are only half as many in North America as
there were two decades ago.
Scientists believe the ducks may be dying after eating zebra
mussels, clam-like creatures that have been both a curse and a benefit to the
environment since they were accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes in the
mid-1980s.
The disappearance of the ducks upsets the balance of nature,
scientists say. And environmentalists already are concerned about the demise of
native wildlife.
The native clam population in Lake St. Clair was wiped out
several years ago by the zebra mussel. And numerous native plants have died off
after phragmites -- a stubborn, sprawling non-native grass -- took over wetlands
in southeast Michigan, where the plants lived. "When we have a 50-percent
decline of anything, that's reason for concern," said Ernie Kafkas, an
environmentalist and wildlife expert with the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources. "There have been populations of wildlife that have declined like
that and have never recovered and became extinct.
Scientists suspect zebra mussels are poisoning the ducks, Kafkas said. Zebra mussels filter water, and any toxins, bacteria and other impurities in the water stay in the mussels. Blue bills gorge themselves on the little orange-and-black striped clams.
Across North America, blue bills declined from 7 million to 3.5 million in less than 20 years, said Scott Petrie, an adjunct professor of zoology at the University of Western Ontario who heads a comprehensive study of the blue bill decline.
"That is alarming," said Petrie, also research director for the Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund in Port Rowan, Ontario. Population numbers for individual states are not recorded because the ducks are migratory. But Michigan scientists and hunters say they have noticed a drop in Lake St. Clair. The decline is not as severe as the continent-wide decrease, but scientists fear it could be a bellwether of things to come for the lake. "We are not seeing the number of scaup we used to see in the 1970s and 1980s in Lake St. Clair. If the decline is across the continent, it will impact us here a lot more severely in the years to come," he said. I hope that you readers have gained some knowledge about the Zebra Mussels, I feel we really need to do all we can to stop the spread of these Mussels. As fisherman, it’s important to remember WE are able to make a difference by doing just a simple inspection of your boat and trailer etc. We HAVE to do a better job here in Central Wis. if we want our children and childrens, children to enjoy what we have. I will continue to monitor and talk with our DNR about their progress and what methods they will use if they will share that info with me. If you have any questions on anything in this article you can e-mail me at either RiverRat@Fish-Wisconsin.com or River_Rat_54494@yahoo.com.
I’d
like also to thank my friends at Crestliner Boats, Bombardier Motor Corp. Magic
products, Lake-link.com, Fish-Wisconsin.com,
Fishtheriver.com, Landbigfish.com,
, CharlieBrewer tackle, Lowrance
locators, St.Croix Rods, Heckels marine, Amherst Marine, Comprop Props, ISG
Jigs, Reeds Sporting Goods, Big Fish Tackle Co., Ipsglass.com,
Thermoilbatteries.com, Pepsi of
Americas, Beckman nets, Trojan Batteries, Black-Widow
Fishing Line, TICA Reels, Minn-Kota Trolling, motors, Austackle Lures, Exciter
Baits, Today’s Tackle Co., Jere’s Bait and Tackle, Misty’s Menu, Tennesse
Trailers, and others who have helped me along the way. This article may not be
reproduced, or used in any way without my written permission.
Bob
is a Licensed Wisconsin Fishing Guide, and owner of Gone Fishing Guide Service.
Specializing in Walleyes, on the Wisconsin River System.
He is also an outdoors field reporter for many fishing web sites, Author,
Historian on the Wis. River and the Petenwell Flowage in Central Wisconsin, and
on many Pro-Staff programs for various tackle manufactures, Crestliner Boats,
and Evinrude Outboards. He has written many articles on Walleye Fishing, and
informational articles on the
waters in Central Wisconsin.
PLEASE CPR ALL
FEMALES,THE FUTURE OF FISHING DEPENDS ON IT!!
More of this article - Part 1 - Where Are They? - 1 2 3 4 5 6
