Project Supervisor
Dr. Craig Paukert

Funding
Kansas State University
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Cooperators
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Objectives
Determine if zooplankton abundance differed before and after zebra mussel establishment, and if these trends were similar to reservoirs without zebra mussels.

Determine if age-0 largemouth bass growth differed before and after zebra mussel establishment, and if these trends were similar to reservoirs without zebra mussels.

Location
El Dorado, Melvern, and Hillsdale reservoirs in eastern Kansas

Completion
May 2010

Progress and Results
In August 2003, zebra mussels were discovered in El Dorado Reservoir, Kansas and are currently at densities of up to 65,000/m² (J. Goeckler, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks [KDWP] personal communication).  This study will provide evidence on the effects of zebra mussels on reservoir centrarchid abundance and largemouth bass growth.  In 2003, zebra mussels were found in El Dorado Reservoir, but they have not been found in nearby Melvern or Hillsdale reservoirs.  This study will evaluate age-0 largemouth bass growth, fish abundance, and zooplankton abundance prior to establishment of zebra mussels (2001-2002) and five years after establishment (2008-2009) in El Dorado Reservoir.  In addition, non zebra mussel infected reservoirs will be sampled to use as controls so we can more clearly identify if growth and abundance patterns are from zebra mussels or are consistent with lakes without zebra mussels.  A study funded by KDWP from 2001-2004 sampled age-0 centrarchid abundance, age-0 largemouth bass growth, and zooplankton abundance in coves in El Dorado, Melvern, and Hillsdale reservoirs and will be used as comparisons of fish growth and zooplankton abundance 5 years after zebra mussel establishment.  

This project began in January 2008 and will continue through May 2010.  Andrea Severson was selected as the M.S. student on the project and began in January 2008. 

Products