Zebra mussels and weed growth

[frazwood]

I like to fish a lake that is infested with Zebra mussels. This year, the weed growth in the lake seems very thick and heavy. Simultaneously, the number of Zebra mussels seems to be much higher too.

I'm just curious if there is a connection? Any thoughts?

[TruthWalleyes]

My understanding is that zebra mussels do a great job of cleaning the water, so good infact, that they push out the native mussels in lakes...so i've heard. Along that same line, cleaner water allows more light to enter, and therefore more photosynthesis to take place...and grow more weeds.

[JohnMickish]

I like to fish a lake that is infested with Zebra mussels. This year, the weed growth in the lake seems very thick and heavy. Simultaneously, the number of Zebra mussels seems to be much higher too.

I'm just curious if there is a connection? Any thoughts?

Ummmm,YES.

Zebra's are bad and they will change the lake. The weed growth you are seeing is a direct result of the zebra infestation. This is why it is so important to clean our boats.

[Shawn Kellett]

Be double sure to check your boat for weeds this year. Almost all the milfoil I was pulling up yesterday on tonka had zeb's attached to it. Now you could get caught transporting 2 AIS at the same time!

[Chode2235]

Typically, in my experience with zebs (lake erie, and the mississippi) you see a huge explosion of zebra muscles as they are exploiting a biological niche that wasnt being adequately filled by the native species. Water gets a lot clearer, and the bottom becomes more dangerous and sharp. Sheepshead numbers shoot up, as long as anything else that will eat them

Then things settle down, and the equilibrium returns. Not sure if it is because of predation, or because they clean the water up and the niche isnt as big.

[Tracker55]

Naw. I'm gonna put a sticker on my boat and it will all be good.