Today’s anglers have learned to identify a host of fish-holding vegetation types: cabbage, coontail, elodea, and milfoil.
Same goes for the food fish eat: shad, shiners, panfish, the list goes on and on…
Where we’ve fallen short is learning to identify the many forms of aquatic invasive species that exist in some of our regions waters — and taking the steps necessary to prevent their spread.
Now let’s have a look at these silent invaders:
Eurasian Milfoil – A nuisance to lakeshore owners, but ideal habitat for native bass in the lake.
Zebra & Quagga Mussels – Ferocious filter feeders of microscopic particles that gamefish need. They also create a hazardous underwater landscape.
Spiny Water Flees – These buggers eat the zooplankton small fish need, and make a mess out of fishing gear.
Rusty Crayfish – These critters feed on good, green fish holding weeds until they’re simply gone.
Round Gobies – They’re food for fish, but they are also thieves that can empty a smallmouth nest of eggs in mere minutes.
Asian Carp – Prolific spawners that push fish out of their ecological niches and who’s acrobatics can actually physically harm anglers.
Did you know that mere seeds left in a livewell can contaminate the next waters you fish?
Sad, but true.
Our best defense: Clean, drain and dry every time you load your boat.
