Skip to main content

Zebra Mussels Replaced By Quaggas

Zebra Mussels Replaced By Quaggas

When discussing all the exotic invaders parading through the Great Lakes, we may soon be forced to scratch zebra mussels from the conversation. Good news? Not quite. According to biologists, larger quagga mussels — also exotic invaders — have entirely extirpated zebes from Lake Michigan by outcompeting them. And quaggas can persist deeper, meaning they cover more total area and make up a larger percentage of the total bio-mass. As quaggas filter plankton out of the water (large adults can filter one liter of water per day), less is available for baitfish. Scientists at the US Geological Survey have reported recent declines in most major baitfish species in the Great Lakes, probably due to the influence of zebra mussels. If so, such reductions could come even faster in coming years, influencing the size, health, and overall population of prized predators like salmon, walleyes, smallmouth bass, and brown trout. Steelhead may be among the least affected, as they stay in the upper part of the water column. Steelhead have been known to transition to massive bug slicks that occur on the surface of the big lakes wherever warm and cool or cold water masses meet, especially when baitfish numbers are low. But overall size could diminish as a result.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Gear

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 UNBOXING

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Learn

GENIUS Planer Board Modification Tip with Ross Robertson

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Gear

In-Fisherman's Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Walk-Through with Thomas Allen

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Learn

Old Town Salty PDL 120 Kayak Walk-Through

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Learn

NEW In-Fisherman TV River Jet Boat: Yamaha Powered SmokerCraft Pro Sportsman 1866

Why Mark Courts LOVES the NEW Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motors
Learn

DECKED OUT 2023 Starcraft STX 2050: New In-Fisherman TV Boat

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now