Questions for electroshock boat operators

[BIG L]

How long does this boat set high & dry before it goes in another lake? Who has the list of when it was used and what lake it was in last?. When you take fish from one lake to another how do you know they are mussel free? Which lake water do you use to transfer them in, the one they are going to or coming from? Where were the fish taken to that came from the now known mussel lakes like Mathews. What happened to the fish that the lucky group of fishermen caught from Lake Mathews and how and what water was used for the transfer? These are just a few of the many question we the fishermen would like know. These are ways I can see that the transfers will continue, anyone with other questions or answers feel free to jump right in.

[mark poulson]

Good questions Larry.
I doubt anyone will provide answers. Too embarrassing.

[tunaman]

While those are valid questions, I'm not sure this is the proper forum to bait this discussion. Could be just me. The tone seems somewhat accusatory. If you really want answers to those questions, you would probably better be served by calling Mike Giusti directly, as I'm sure he'd be glad to clear the air - I'll PM you his office number.

Please remember - these guys are not our enemies... they've worked really hard to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the fight against the insanity at Casitas and other battle fronts. Mike in particular gave much of his time preparing and presenting material at the hearings.

Roger

[Mike Giusti]

I will do my best to answer all your questions. If I miss something let me know. If our electrofishing boat has been used in a lake that has mussels (Skinner is the only one) it is allowed to dry at least 4 days before it used in another lake and it is always decontainated with a high pressure hot water washer at least a couple days before going into an unifested lake. We have a list of lakes and dates were are working and are starting to fill out a form that will show where the boat was used, the date and when it was decontaminated. We are going to start decontamination after each use provide we are going to a different lake. If we are working on the same lake several nights in a row there is not a need for decontamination.

We have not moved fish from one lake to another since the mussels have been found. If we do consider moving fish from an infested lake to a non infested lake the fish would be treated with a potassium chloride solution to ensure that any larval mussel would be killed. Also, we do not use lake water to move the fish we use tap water and condition it so it doesn't hurt the fish.

We have not moved fish from Lake Mathews since mussels have been found. Prior to the mussel infestion we relocated bass to Lake Skinner and blue catfish to Diamond Valley Lake. At that time since mussels were not present in the lake we used lake water to move the fish.

If we were going to moving fish from infected lakes to uninfected lakes and were using untreated lake water to transport them you are correct in that we could be spreading the mussels. We take every precaution we can to make sure that DFG is not causing the mussel problem to spread. The three latest reservoirs that have mussels we have not worked on and at least one does not allow boats. In case you have checked our website lately Irvine, Jennings and Olivehein have all tested positive for mussels and all receive Colorado River water.


Hope this helps,

Mike

[some guy]

speaking of olivehein... will that lake be open for fishing when the hodges project is done? also does this mean that lake hodges has the mussells in it? I was under the impression that the olivehein project was going to circulate water back and forth between hodges and olivehein.. was i misinformed? any help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks again mike.

i love to fish hodges... i have a 17ft bass tracker that i just might have to turn into a hodges only boat in that case.

[Mike Giusti]

Olivenhein if open to fishing will be walk in or possibliy float tube but not by boat as there is not a launch ramp on the lake. The lake is really verticle and doesn't have a lot of structure for fish to hide in. You have it right. Once they complete their powerplant and start moving water between the lakes the mussels will most likely end up in Hodges as well.

[some guy]

Thanks Mike your the man... I kinda figured no boats at Olivehein but there is some chunks in there. I was hoping for a float tube only place.. would be sweet. I cant wait for this project to be done so i can fish that new rip rap ive been drolling over it for quite some time now and its hard to get fish over those two floats

[Mike Giusti]

Hodges isn't my area so I am not sure what they will allow once the project is completed. I wouldn't be suprised if they didn't restrict access around the structure for safety reasons.

[Terry]

Big L,

Those are valid questions and have been addresses statewide, as Mike has outlined, through the Reservoir Biologist Committee at DFG. Movement of fish from an infested water to an uninfested water is prohibited. Decontamination of vessels is standard operating procedure. Boats now have operating logs, but they usually sit for at least a week between lakes anyway. We also add salt to the water as an aid to reduce mortality, which kills veligers.

The fish from Mathews have gone to Skinner in the past. Both infected. I believe we haven't moved fish from there since the mussel became an issue. Mike can clarify this.

Thanks for being cautious and caring.

Terry Foreman
Fisheries Program Manager
CA Dept. of Fish and Game
Sacramento
916-445-3777

[mark poulson]

Great answers. Sorry for the smart *** post before.
I apologize.

[BIG L]

Thanks Mike & Terry, you answered my questions. I wasn't trying to cause anyone any problems, just wanted to know. I would like to do the electro shock sometime, I think it would be interesting. Mike, I think you are doing a very good job with our lakes.

[tunaman]

I'd highly recommend it Big L... I've done it several times and it is a very interesting and eye-opening experience. Plus, you have the bonus of helping to manage our resources.

Roger

[Terry]

No problem, guys. We're here to help. This mussel mess is driving all of us up the wall.

Terry