Stewardship Tip Mar 17th, 2009 – New Zealand Mud Snails
In the late 1980s, New Zealand Mud Snails were found in the Snake and Madison Rivers. Since that time, they have spread to the Great Lakes and most of the western United States.
The New Zealand Mud Snail reproduces quickly and, as adults, masses in high densities.
As with other aquatic nuisance species, it is important to know their range and if you are fishing infested waters. The United States Geological Survey keeps up to date records regarding the range of aquatic nuisance species including the New Zealand Mud Snail.
If you have, or suspect that you have, fished in infested waters, help to prevent their spread. Cleaning, freezing, or drying your gear will remove and kill New Zealand Mud Snails.
Clean: Mix equal parts of Formula 409 degreaser/disinfectant and water. Soak your gear in a bucket or steep it in a plastic bag. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
Freeze: Freeze your gear until it is solid. This can take over six hours. The key word is solid.
Dry: Completely dry your gear. The key word is dry, inside and out. A boot dryer can be helpful for boots and waders. A heat source can be helpful as well.
Why it is important to the fish: Their sheer numbers can dominate the base of the food web. New Zealand Mud Snails can consume over 80% of a river’s productivity. Their presence exerts a negative impact on mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. In one, infested, Montana stream, only 3% of the macroinvertebrate biomass now consists of indigenous species!
Help to prevent the spread of New Zealand Mud Snails by cleaning, freezing, or drying your gear before using it in a new waterway.
Photo courtesy of the United States Geological Survey
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Their partnership makes this week’s “Stewardship Tip” possible.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
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