ND zebra mussels

Enslow

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I am posting this thread to report what is and is not being done to protect ND waters from zebra mussel infestation. I fish alot in ND from small stocked lakes, to Oahe, to sakak, and mainly Devils lake. I have been checked by two different game wardens this spring and neither checked for Aquatic Nuisance Species on my boat or mentioned the risk of the problem coming into the state. I am very concerned about zebra mussels so i called Greg Power last week in Bismarck who is the fisheries Chief. I reported that i am not seeing law enforcement checking boats and bait containers for ANS. I also asked what is being planned for wash stations and checkpoints for ANS. The answer was that there are lots of meetings happening and there are a couple of summer employees providing ANS education at "popular" boat ramps. There are no plans to require boat inspections like our neighboring states to the West require. I believe that ground zero for the invasion of zebra mussels will be devils lake. If devils lake gets them you can bet it will spread to nearly all waters in ND because many fish devils lake as well as other bodies of water. 40 percent of the fisherman coming to Devils lake are from MN and Wisconsin according to Power. I strongly encourage everyone who loves the amazing fishing in ND to contact the NDGF and voice their concerns about zebra mussels. IMO there should be mandatory boat inspections and checkpoints on hwy 2, hwy 281, and hwy 20 as those are the main roads into Devils lake. New rules and regs mean nothing without enforcement.
 


Captain Ahab

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Many MN lakes(especially the ones without zebs) have people at the boat ramps during weekends. I think most are civilians that take the job for an hourly rate. Probably not a bad model to follow to increase staff for a low cost.
 

shorthairsrus

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The worst boats r the one with a ballast (ski boats) green algae water keeps them basterd$ @way
 


Account Deleted

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I share your concern Enslow but those measures are a temporary patch. Hopefully someone smarter than me is working on some sort of 'cide for these things.
 

Enslow

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Zebras gonna be great for spear fishing. Dont be such a nancy.....

The water in the big lake is plenty clear for spearing without the addition of zebra mussels. Saw a 28 lber get speared a couple years ago.
 

Bri-guy

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I fished a lake by Alexandria last weekend and they had a kid hired by the County checking every single boat that came out of the water. He checked the drain plug, the live well, and the minnow bucket. If nothing else, this will hopefully help keep the blue platers from bringing zebra mussels westward. He even asked me where I would likely be fishing next and gave tips on cleaning the boat afterwards.

This was a lake infested with zebra mussels.
 


Lycanthrope

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Im sure the GF wouldnt mind people doing this voluntarily, but no one is going to pay for it. Like stated already, its not going to stop ANS anyway, might just slow it down a little....
 

Enslow

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Im sure the GF wouldnt mind people doing this voluntarily, but no one is going to pay for it. Like stated already, its not going to stop ANS anyway, might just slow it down a little....

Do you eat paint chips with lead?
 

Lycanthrope

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Do you eat paint chips with lead?

Just because Im not buying your "ANS will end the world theory"? If you want to stop ANS so badly, go volunteer your time helping people clean/inspect their boats, thats all Im saying....
 


MuskyManiac

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On Lida we went from zero problems to zebra's everywhere in 3 years. You can now see bottom in 20 feet. Almost every rock you see and weed you pull has zebra's. Here's a native shell covered in them. They say each zebra can filter a liter of water a day.

IMG_7366.jpg
 
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Enslow

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Just because Im not buying your "ANS will end the world theory"? If you want to stop ANS so badly, go volunteer your time helping people clean/inspect their boats, thats all Im saying....

Wtf are you talking about? Are you mental?

- - - Updated - - -

I just got a red mark saying it is going to fall down like rain on me.
 

guywhofishes

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On Lida we went from zero problems to zebra's everywhere in 3 years. You can now see bottom in 20 feet. Almost every rock you see and weed you pull has zebra's. Here's a native shell covered in them. They say each zebra can filter a liter of water a day.

what's been the impact on fishing?
 

Lycanthrope

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Are ZM edible? I know most are small, but might make a good broth for a chowder or something.
 

Wild and Free

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Was in Utah / AZ a few years ago and to get into or out of lake powell and Mead your boat was not only inspected but washed off with some kind of solution and all water was contained, one had to drive across a wash station next to a semi with water tanks. Maybe that's the extreme we need here too.;:;popcorn
 


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