Last month, a fishermen on Cherokee Lake in Bean Station spotted what he believed to be zebra mussels on a boat ramp. He contacted TWRA, who were able to verifiy the find and confirm there were more of them in the lake.
Zebra mussels can have serious environmental, economic, and recreational impacts in Tennessee's waterways. They consume a lot of microscopic organisms that leaves less for our native fish and other water creatures. They multiply fast, and colonize on hard surfaces like docks and boats.
They also make water recreation hazardous because of their sharp edges.
Zebra mussels have also been discovered in Norris Lake. TWRA has asked TVA to keep the lake level as low as possible to hopefully dry many of them out. TWRA is also in the process of posting signs at Norris and Cherokee to notify boaters of how to slow the spread of zebra mussels by reminding them to "Clean, Drain and Dry" their vessels before traveling from one lake to another.
"The TWRA can only do so much to stop the spread of zebra mussels. The majority of the responsibility lies with the angling and boating public to be diligent in taking steps to control their spread," said TWRA Region IV Fisheries Coordinator Bart Carter
On all boats, trailers and equipment, TWRA recommends these steps:
• Inspect the boat, trailer and all equipment and remove any visible vegetation or organisms.
• Pull boat plugs and drain live wells prior to leaving the water body.
• Flush engine with fresh, clean water.
• Dry boat and equipment for 5 days before launching into another water body.
