Freshwater Mussels?

[KMC]

did you ever hear of this? There is agrave yard near nolin lake, where the folks used to cover the grave sites with mussel shells, My friend didn't know the origin, any answers?

I have to say, that is a new one to me. How old is the grave? And do you know the culture of those burried? That could be connected. Or perhaps it was a regional tradition. Very interesting.

[Stevens]

i dont know if you'd know this, but you sound like the right guy to ask. why is that fish congregate around mussel beds. especially on ky lake, it seems like the fish are just drawn to them.

[colonelmeyer]

Some fish can eat them right?

[kygorski]

Well my friend has about 15% cherokey or how ever you spell it, but I cant say if that has any bearing on it.

[KMC]

i dont know if you'd know this, but you sound like the right guy to ask. why is that fish congregate around mussel beds. especially on ky lake, it seems like the fish are just drawn to them.

It is true that some fish do feed on Native mussels. Catfish in particular have a mussel eating reputation. In fact, some people have used mussels for catfishing bait. Another reason fish would congregate around mussel beds is that extremely productive aquatic areas will usually have a host of different species. In other words, aquatic species are often drawn to where the action is. Mussels will often live around plants and algae to keep hidden and this is a place where other aquatic creatures also hide and stir up sediment for the mussels to filter. Of course, fish will be drawn to the plants and algae as well for shelter, food, or to hopefully find a meal from the hiding creatures.
-Take care, Kevin

[KMC]

Kevin, You've come to the right place. The Cumberland river basin is the ancestral home to nearly every specie of mussel in North America. Give me a little time, and I can hook you up with several species from 1/2 in. asian clams to 10 in washboards. Keep in touch, and I'll try to help out.

Hello Joe,
I just thought I might check in to see if you have had any chance to collect some empty mussel shells? I am still very interested in anything you might find. I will send a pm as well. I hope all is well with you and the fish a biting!
-Take care, Kevin

[KMC]

Well I got such a great initial response to my request below and that was in the dead of winter! Now its nice and hot out there, so I figured it might be a great time for another poke. I am still very much studying freshwater mussels and would love if anyone could still help out with sharing any spent native mussel shells they might come across.
-Thanks, Kevin

Hey all,
It might still be too cold in Kentucky but what the hey, it never hurts to ask. I am a student studying American freshwater mussels. I live in Massachusetts where unfortunately there are not that many mussels to find. I am looking for people who come across the little (sometime not so little) buggers when outdoors. I would love anyone who finds the muskrat middens on the side of the rivers/lakes (or how ever they come across the mussels) to box up a bunch of paired fellas big and small and send them my way. I am only looking for dead/spent shells, not live ones. I collect and study and write about all the different species. I'm not concered about big or small, the more different ones the better. Anyone who would be able to help me with my studies by just picking up a bunch of the ones you find while fishing would be a HUGE help in my studies. I would certainly compensate you for your effort and of course pay for shipping too. The only requirements would be that you provide matching paired (not single) valves and that they are not totally broken (they don't have to be absolutely perfect with no chips at all, but the cleaner with their natural "skin" the better). I've been trying to make contacts with people across the country that naturally run into mussels while out fishing or hiking that might be able to just pick up shells they come across without it being a big hassle for them. I can't thank enough anyone who would consider assisting me with this project. You can contact me through this site or directly at [email protected]. Thank You!!!!! And good fishing!!!
-Kevin

[bg64vw]

Check with Ouida and Albert Meyers, both professors at Western Kentucky University and I believe are in charge of the WKU Bioreserve on Green River just north of Mammoth Cave National Park. Green River is one of the most ecologically diverse rivers in the US and has a wide array of fresh water mussels some of which I believe are endangered.

[KMC]

Thanks so much for the heads up! This is right up my alley.
-Take care, Kevin

[KMC]

Its been a long time and my studies continue. I would still love to see any mussel shells people might come across. Thanks for any help!
-Kevin

[Big T @ E.C.]

Your correct, the cemetary is off dickie's mill road, in edmonson co. I think the church is named hill grove i think. I'm 51, and they have been covering the graves with mussell shells as long as i can remember...tr