I”ve been a Clearlake resident for five years and I have worked at a local bait and tackle shop for about four years. Of course, that has required me to be involved with the invasive species program.
So, let”s take an honest look at Clear Lake itself and the fish and other creatures that inhabit the lake. The Florida strain of largemouth bass, which is the lake”s big draw, was introduced in 1963. It has crossbred, and perhaps out-bred the native northern black bass and rock bass. The black crappie was introduced around the same time. It has crossbred and mostly out-bred the native white crappie. The smallmouth bass was most likely brought in illegally by bass fishermen, mostly from Lake Berryessa, in the late 1970s through the early ”80s. Two varieties of Chinese carp and bluegill of some variety were probably here, but others wandered in through streams. At least one form of channel catfish was certainly native to Clear Lake, but catfish were added to the lake also. We apparently also have at least a small population of pacu, koi and perhaps other freshwater tropical fish that have been released by local aquarium owners, not to mention a female, and rather large, iguana that lives or lived in Cache Creek.
Numerous other fowl and mammals that were not native in the true sense migrate in and out of Clear Lake. We also have a variety of non-native invasive plants that make up part of the aquatic environment. In particular hydrilla, which is notorious for clogging docks and channel areas, as well as various others that come up from the depths and do the same thing. Whether one likes the weeds or not, they do provide habitat and nursery areas for the fish, and are largely beneficial for the fish.
Now, we can talk programs. Whether a program has the word city, county, state or federal in front of it, we usually find out later that the proper word should be failed in front of program, which brings me to the point of this letter.
The county board of supervisors seems to be in a protracted state of denial concerning the quagga mussel program, which has failed. The likelihood that the mussel is already in the lake is high. Two of the other most popular lakes in this general area have no prevention program to this day. Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma are devoid of inspection programs and are both popular for fishing and water sports, making them likely vectors for the past several years. On top of that, we have over 200 private launches on Clear Lake where locals can launch day and night unchecked.
Part II will run next Tuesday.
Jerry Sloneker is a Clearlake resident and a bait and tackle shop employee.
