PORT ARTHUR —  Three years after the discovery that zebra mussels had established themselves in Lake Texoma, the destructive invasive species has been confirmed in Lake Ray Roberts north of Denton according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials.

    “Unfortunately, from an environmental and economic standpoint, this is very bad news,” says Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith.

    “For a host of reasons the implications of this discovery are substantial to Texas waters and their future use and management. We intend to continue working with our partners to do everything reasonably possible to try and prevent the further spread of this harmful invasive species.”

    Smith emphasized that the discovery underscores the importance of boaters helping to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, which can be unknowingly spread when boats and trailers are moved from lake to lake.

    TPWD said originally from the Balkans, Poland and the former Soviet Union, zebra mussels found their way to the Americas in the 1980s via ballast water of a ship. The small invaders were first found in 1988 in Lake St. Clair, Mich., and are currently known to have infested 29 states and more than 600 lakes or reservoirs in the United States.

    “Zebra mussels can have economic and recreational impacts in Texas reservoirs. They can clog public-water intake pipes, harm boats and motors left in infested waters by covering boat hulls and clogging water-cooling systems, annoy boat-dock owners by completely covering anything left under water and can make water recreation hazardous because of their razor-sharp edges.”

    We will have more on zebra mussels in an upcoming Thursday outdoors update.

    Now onto the report…

    North Sabine---The larger trout are scattered with most of the action coming on live bait fished over shell and around large concentrations of shad and mullet in the rivers. On calm days, some fish are being caught under birds. Reds are mixed with the schooling trout. Very few reports of flounder.

    South Sabine---Trout and reds are remain fair to good under schools of shad along the south shoreline and on the main lake. Very few reports of flounder.

    Sabine Pass---Calm days have been producing sharks and reds in the surf. The short rigs are fair to good for trout on calm days.

    Sabine River---Very few reports of bass this week. Trout and redfish are fair to good on live bait.

    Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake)---Hackberry Rod and Gun reports when the weather allows the short rigs are producing good numbers of trout. On the main lake live shrimp and mullet are producing fish over mixed shell. Reds are mixed with the trout. Very few report of flounder.

    Sam Rayburn---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are fair on minnows and watermelon Rat–L–Traps. White bass are good on minnows and Li'l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows over baited holes. Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait, shrimp, and liver.

    Toledo Bend---Holly Park Marina reports largemouths remain good on dark-colored worms and crawworms in deep water. A 7.5 pounder was caught in 18 feet of water. White bass are good on the main lake humps and ridges on the north end of the lake. Crappie are fair to good over baited holes in deep water. Very few reports of catfish.

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LAKE LEVELS

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TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 169.59 Was 169.04

RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 163.44 Was: 162.84

B.A. STEIN HAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.52 Was: 82.07