Impacts of Zebra Mussel Infestation on the Fish Community of Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas

Jones, C. W. and J. N. Stoeckel, Arkansas Tech University, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Program, Russellville, AR 72801

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were found in Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas in 1992. Since that time, mean densities of adult mussels sampled at 15 sites have been observed as high as 7,302/m² . Filter-feeding activities of dense zebra mussel populations can drastically increase water clarity and otherwise alter the ecology of rivers and reservoirs. To assess the impacts of zebra mussels on the fish community of Lake Dardanelle, we compared three years of pre-infestation data for key biological parameters to three years of post-infestation data. We compared pre- and post-infestation densities of the major zooplankton groups, the growth rates of largemouth bass and blue catfish, and the abundance and size structure of freshwater drum, blue catfish, largemouth bass, gizzard shad, and threadfin shad populations. Zooplankton were collected biweekly by pulling a 64 Fm mesh conical net from a depth of 3 m to the surface. Fish for age and growth analysis, and for abundance and size structure analysis were collected at two sites in annual rotenone samples.

Copyright © 1999
Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Last modified: 03/03/04 04:15:38 PM