2018 Annual Report • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 41
A Q U A T I C I N V A S I V E S P E C I E S U P D A T E
Glenn Cunningham was the only new lake that tested positive for veliger, but
adult zebra mussels also were detected this year. The lake was drained in the late
fall to eliminate the zebra mussels by exposing them to the elements and allowing
them to freeze. Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake Yankton, the Missouri River downstream
from Gavins Point Dam and Offutt Base Lake all have established populations
of zebra mussels. There are two suspect lakes, Carter and Zorinsky, which tested
positive for veliger in May of 2017, however no adult mussels have been found.
If no positive samples are detected in 2019 and 2020 on these lakes they will be
considered clean.
C A R P R E M O V A L B E G I N S O N
V A L E N T I N E R E F U G E , O T H E R
S A N D H I L L S L A K E S
Game and Parks began an aggressive effort to remove common carp from the
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and the Sandhills following a major aquatic
habitat project on the nine public fishing lakes. Fish renovations were conducted
at Pelican, School and Whitewater lakes in 2018, and will continue through 2021
in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sandhills Task Force and
Natural Resources Conservation Service. Pelican Lake was stocked with 142,215
yellow perch, 69,974 black crappie and 352,894 bluegill fingerlings.
A
POPULAR
HUNTING
AND
FISHING
DESTINATION,
PELICAN
LAKE
IN
THE
VALENTINE
NATIONAL
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
IN
CHERRY
COUNTY
ZEBRA
MUSSELS
