Fisheries biologists from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation made an all-too-familiar discovery recently. While conducting research on striped bass in the Arkansas River, zebra mussels were found below Zink Dam in Tulsa. With the recent discovery of zebra mussels in Sooner and Skiatook lakes, this makes the third new location for zebra mussels this summer.

  Zebra mussels, native to Baltic area of Europe and Asia, were brought to the Great Lakes in ballast water of ocean-going ships in 1986. Zebra mussels have been estimated to cause three billion dollars in economic losses annually. Zebra mussels attach to solid surfaces in large numbers and have clogged water intake pipes six feet in diameter. They have also interfered with shipping by clogging locks and dams. Biologically, zebra mussels filter large volumes of water daily, removing nutrients and plankton that serve as the base of the food chain. Even though zebra mussels have increased water clarity, this has lead to reductions in fish numbers and, in some cases, overabundance of aquatic plants.

  Zebra mussels moved down the Mississippi River, most likely with barge traffic, and were discovered in the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System in 1993. Numbers remained low in the Navigation System but after being moved to Oologah Lake, most likely with recreational boat traffic, the abundance has exploded, exceeding historically high levels in the Great Lakes. Swimmers must now wear tennis shoes or risk cuts on their feet when swimming in Oologah.

  Recreational boat traffic was also the likely pathway to infestation of El Dorado Lake in Kansas. From there, zebra mussels moved downstream with water releases, entered the Arkansas River, and became established in Kaw in 2004. Mussels continued to move downstream with adult mussels being found in Keystone in 2005.

  The recent discovery below Zink Dam verifies continued downstream movement. Oklahoma Gas and Electric pumps water from the Arkansas River to maintain stable water levels in Sooner Lake. This is a likely means of transfer to Sooner. Zebra mussels likely were spread to Skiatook Lake by boaters moving from a lake infested with zebra mussels to Skiatook without taking proper precautions to clean mussels from the boat.

  Even though it is likely too late to stop the natural movement of zebra mussels down the Arkansas River, boaters need to take precautions to avoid spreading mussels to lakes not currently infested. Before moving from one lake to another, all boaters should:

  - Drain the bilge water, live wells, and bait buckets.

  - Inspect the boat and trailer for attached zebra mussels.

  - Scrape off any zebra mussels.

  - Dry boat and trailer for one week before entering another waterway.

  - Wash boat parts and trailer with 140 degree water, a 10 percent chlorine and water solution, or a hot saltwater solution. Do not wash at ramp. Finish with a clean water rinse.

  Zebra mussels pose a serious threat to our waters and all citizens need to take an active role in preventing further spread. In the past few months, infestations have been confirmed at The Lake of The Ozarks in central Missouri and at Base Lake at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, adjacent to the Missouri River.

  For more information on zebra mussels, log on to www.protectyourwaters.org or www.100thmeridian.org.

  Union Lake is southern New Jersey's largest freshwater body of water. It is considered the premier lake in this area for angling. It has had a history of providing good fishing for a variety of species. The lake was constructed in the 1790s, and later in 1868, it was sold to the Millville Manufacturing Company, and a new dam was built downstream of the original, and it significantly increased the size of the lake. Union Lake is located in Millville, New Jersey, right off Route 49, about 45 minutes from the Delaware Memorial Bridge. It is part of the Union Lake Wildlife Management area, and is located on the Maurice River Drainage.

  The lake and its surrounding properties were purchased by the New Jersey Fish Game and Wildlife in 1982, and the Division reconstructed the dam in 1989, and built a fish ladder in 1990. This enabled anadromous fish to spawn above Union Lake.

  Union is 898 acres, with an average depth of 9 feet, with a maximum depth of 27 feet. The water in Union is highly productive due to the high fertility of the soil around the lake. It has a brown humic color, and is subject to algae blooms in the summer. The lake develops a thermo cline in the summer at about 10 feet, and there is a lack of dissolved oxygen at about 15 feet. There is a variety of vegetation, both emergent and submerged, with some lay-downs, and islands with lily pads throughout the lake.

  There have been man made structures added also, such as Christmas trees reefs, and tire reefs, at various locations throughout the lake. There are two boat launches at Union that are available to the public. The ramp located on the Southeast end of the lake is owned by the city of Millville. The other ramp located on the West shore of the lake, has parking available for 50 car and trailer rigs, and is owned by the Division of Fish Game and Wildlife. The parking lot and ramp are fantastic, and it is lighted for night time fishing also. There is a 10 HP maximum on the lake. There is also shoreline angling areas around the lake.

  Forage

  The main forage base in Union Lake is alewife and Gizzard Shad, and they are in the lake in good numbers. There are also a good population of panfish, including crappies and bluegill. There are also some channel catfish and Pirate perch, along with some Swamp Darter.

  Species Available

  Fish species found in the lake are Largemouth and smallmouth bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, White Perch, Striped Bass, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, and Sunfish of several varieties. The smallmouth bass population in Union was small, so the State has been doing some stocking to increase the population, but they are still greatly outnumbered by the largemouth bass. The Stripers that are in Union are contributed to Anglers releasing them from the Maurice River population. There is currently an advisory on largemouth and chain Pickerel, because they exceed the level of Mercury allowed.

  Best Locations

  The best locations for smallmouth bass are around the dam and adjacent sandy shoreline, and across the lake by the Millville ramp, around the rip-rap, near the stumps and deep water structure. Some of the smallmouth we caught in Union were around 3 pounds, which is a nice size smallmouth for this area. The largemouth bass will hold on traditional structure in the lower end of the lake, such as the brushy areas along the shore near the Dam, and in the coves on both sides. There are also 3 artificial structures in this area, and they hold baitfish and Crappies, and subsequently bass. A good fish locator is required to find them now. One is located about 40 yards off shore by the Millville ramp, the other one is about 30 yards up from the dam off the rip-rap bank. The third is on the adjacent shore by the sandy cliffs after the first cove by the dam.

  The best lures for smallmouth bass in these areas include tubes, small hair jigs, in Brown and Black, and small crankbaits in crawfish colors. The largemouth here will hit a variety of soft plastics, but we have had the best luck on small worms and Senkos by Gary Yamamoto baits. The 4 and 5 inch models have been taking big largemouth bass from these areas. About a third of the way up the lake from the dam, near the state boat ramp, there are 2 other artificial attractors, made of Christmas trees and tire units. These areas also hold bass. a good tactic is using medium to deep diving crankbaits in this area, and bumping the structure as much as possible. Small straight tail worms and Senko's also produce when cast to the structure and shoreline cover in this area. In the early mornings, and late afternoon and evenings, largemouth bass have been hitting walking type baits, jerkbaits, and buzzbaits in this area also. The next area to try would be near the upper end of the lake.

  On the West shore of the lake, there are marsh reeds and lily pad fields. They hold a good deal of large bass and Pickerel. The best baits for here would be weed less topwaters, such as a Top-Prop, and other buzzbaits worked around the edges of the cover. Small worms, in 4," and Senkos, cast to the edges of the deep weed-lines here will produce in the daytime. Also, this year we have had a good deal of bass hit Spider Grubs on a light weight or rigged Texas style, and cast to the edges of cover rigged weightless. There are a variety of Spider Grubs, but I like the ones made by Gary Yamamoto the best. The earth tone colors are easy to match to the forage and water color.

  The last place you should try is in the upper end of the lake, on the right hand side, right before it turns into a narrow, winding, swamp-like area. There is a Christmas tree reef in this area, mixed with other vegetation that you should work with 5" Jerkbaits, in gold/black, and other soft plastics. The pads on the left side in this area also hold a good deal of bass that go to 5 or 6 pounds. Many largemouths were taken here by working the pads with a Tournament frog in Black and Brown, and a Terminator spinnerbait in 3/8 ounce, with Tandem blades, with a Golden Shiner skirt. Buzzbaits took some largemouth also from this area that exceeded 6 pounds! Some other good baits to try in Union are lipless crankbaits like a Rattlin' Rapala, and spoons in the reedy areas for Chain Pickerel and bass.

  Equipment

  I like to have a couple spinning rods, with a good reel, such as a Shimano Sustain, or Daiwa Z series, spooled with 6 and 8 pound test Stren. These are good for small grubs and the smaller Senkos. I also like to have a couple of good bait-casters, such as a 6 1/2 to 7 foot G.Loomis, with a medium, and a medium/Heavy action, with a Shimano Chronarch, spooled with 20-25 pound test Stren, and a separate rod for Cranking. I use a Lews Crankin' Stick, and a G.Loomis Cranking Stick for this, with a Lews reel, spooled with 10-12 pound test. These reels are necessary to present the crankbaits properly, and reduce angler fatigue.

  Use these tactics at Union this coming year, and you will increase your catch rate and your fun. Union has variety of scenery and wildlife also, and can provide a great day out for the whole family.

  Steve and Kurt vonBrandt are tournament anglers as well as guides and video producers and have their own radio and TV shows on the internet and Comcast cable in the area. They are also Redman/BFL regional qualifiers and the 1998, 99 and 2001 Big Bass World Champs/Delaware.

  You can book a trip or order a video tape from S & K Guide Service that will help you learn new techniques to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass by simply dropping them a line at: svonbrandt@msn.com or by visiting their web site at: www.skguideservice.com.

  Nothing beats a home-cooked fish meal on a cold winter's day. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind as you "squirrel away" a few meals of fish for this winter.

  The best tasting, highest-quality fish is the one you clean and cook immediately after catching. As time passes after the death of the fish micro-organisms begin to grow and the fish begins to break down. The key to great tasting fish in winter is timely preparation and freezing at the time of the catch. Fish baskets, buckets, and live-wells help keep fish alive temporarily and are the first step to great tasting fish later. Depending on the length of your fishing trip or the temperature, you may need to use a cooler of ice to store your fish until time to clean them. A plastic bag for the fish will make cleanup easier.

  Once you've cleaned the fish, packaging becomes the next issue at hand. Air-tight packaging is essential. Many of the undesirable flavor and color changes in fish are caused by oxidation of the unsaturated fats, oils and color pigments. In addition, if the package is not air-tight water evaporates from the fish flesh. The fish becomes dry and tough, or "freezer burned."

  Freezing your fish in water is a great way to keep air away from the flesh. Clean your fillets well, place the amount needed for a meal in a plastic freezer bag, cover the fillets with water, tap the bag to release the air trapped between the fillets, squeeze out all air at the top of the bag, seal, date the bag, then place flat in the freezer until frozen well.

  If you've decided to leave bones in your fish you'll want to use a thick container for freezing. Clean cardboard milk or juice cartons work great to prevent fins and bones from piercing the container, thus allowing air in. Clean your fish well, place the amount needed for a meal in a water-tight container, cover the fish with water, tap the container to release the air trapped between the pieces, seal, date the container and place upright in the freezer until frozen well. (Don't fill the container all the way to the top. You'll need some room for expansion as the water freezes.)

  There is another way to keep your catch fresh until winter. Using a vacuum food sealer is the latest and greatest thing to come along to help keep your food stay fresh longer. They have been around a long time but it only seems until recently that the trend is really catching on. There are several makes and models to choose from. Select one to fit your needs. One handy feature that most have is that the bags once used can be washed and used again. When opening a sealed bag make sure to cut it open as close to the sealed end as possible so you have the biggest bag available for the next use. The bags also come on a roll that is actually one very long bag. You cut the roll to make the size of bag needed. This comes in handy when freezing large pieces of fish like a side of a salmon.

  Dating the bag and carton helps to make sure you don't forget to eat them in a reasonable amount of time. They'll do very well as long as you eat them within one year. Even fish frozen longer in this manner have retained its freshness and great taste.

  Besides the date make a note of where the fish came from, who caught them, who you were with, etc. When you cook them, invite your fishin' buddy over to share the meal, or just take a few minutes to talk about how much fun you had catchin' these fish. Hard to have the winter blah's when you're chewing the fat over a great fishing trip! Maggie B.