In football terms, here's the score:
Nebraska Reservoirs 35, Zebra Mussels 0.
After arriving uninvited last year at a suburban Omaha lake, the aquatic nuisance species hasn't shown up anywhere across Nebraska this summer.
Tests conducted since May have indicated no presence of zebra mussel veligers (larvae) in Nebraska. Thirty-five reservoirs sampled as of July 15 came up clean, said Don Gabelhouse, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's fisheries division administrator.
That includes 255-acre Zorinsky Lake in southwest Omaha, where zebra mussels were found in November. The non-native mollusk threatens ecosystems by competing for food with native fish and causes economic harm by damaging boats and water-system pipes.
"Statewide, we're looking good,'' Gabelhouse said. "At this point, I can give you nothing but good news and a positive outlook.''
Zorinsky Lake was drained during the winter to allow freezing winter temperatures to kill the invader. The Army Corps of Engineers recently closed the reservoir gates to begin refilling the lake.
The zebra mussel is usually less than one inch long. One mussel can produce up to 5 million eggs per year. Young mussels suspend in the water and eventually attach themselves to underwater structures.
Mussels can spread from one body of water to another when boaters transport water — in a bait bucket, for example — or by hitching a ride on the underside of boats.
Gabelhouse said six technicians hired with grant funds are informing boaters across Nebraska about the dangers of zebra mussels. Three are working at Lake McConaughy near Ogallala, one is at Harlan County Lake near Alma and two roam eastern lakes.
Among the southeast lakes targeted are Branched Oak Lake, Burchard Lake, Glenn Cunningham Lake, Pawnee Lake, Standing Bear Lake, Wagon Train Lake, Walnut Creek Reservoir and Wehrspann Lake.
The technicians have completed more than 2,000 surveys and shared information with 10,000 individuals at 18 statewide lakes, Gabelhouse said.
One key message is for boaters to "Clean-Drain-Dry" their craft after a day on the water.
Gabelhouse credited Karie Decker, the state's aquatic invasive species coordinator, with leading the charge on the campaign.
Game and Parks plans to start restocking Zorinsky Lake with game fish species this fall.
Walleye team rallies for second tourney title
They did it again.
Dave Harmon of Omaha and Scott Busteed of Windsor, Colo., won a second consecutive Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit competition last weekend.
They beat more than 90 other anglers from 12 states at the Lake Oahe tournament based out of Mobridge, S.D. The fishing partners jumped from 15th place after opening day into the winners' circle with 16.65 pounds on the second day for a 30.01-pound, 10-fish total.
The victory came four weeks after they won the Devils Lake, N.D., event against 228 veteran walleye anglers.
"I'm basically flabbergasted,'' Harmon said. "We've just had extremely fortunate luck out there. Fishing Lake Oahe is out of this world.''
They caught 50 to 100 fish daily, looking for the best five to weigh in.
"There were a lot of little ones, but it's still a lot of fun,'' Harmon said.
Harmon and Busteed earned $13,360 in cash and prizes.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
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