Dominic Stone
Mussels are a type of bivalve mollusc that can be found in both freshwater and marine environments. They are a popular food source for both humans and animals and are also used as bait by anglers. In order to fish for mussels, one must typically find a beach or shoreline where they can be harvested. In Washington, for example, there are several beaches where clams, mussels, and oysters can be legally harvested, such as Shine Tidelands and Wolfe Property State Parks. Before harvesting mussels, it is important to check for any health advisories or regulations that may be in place. When using mussels as bait, anglers have reported success with both raw and cooked mussels, with some adding spices or garlic salt to increase their effectiveness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine mussels | Live on exposed shores in the low and mid intertidal zone in temperate seas globally |
| Marine mussel shell | Longer than it is wide, wedge-shaped or asymmetrical; dark blue, blackish or brown externally and silvery inside |
| Freshwater mussels | Inhabit lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, canals |
| Freshwater mussel shell | Green, yellow, brown, striped with black; composed of two hinged halves or "valves" |
| Freshwater mussels | Can be eaten raw or smoked; can be cooked in a variety of ways |
| Freshwater mussels | Used as bait for fishing; can be bought ready-cooked and frozen |
| Freshwater mussels | Can be harvested from beaches in Washington State |
| North America | Has close to 300 species of mussels, the highest diversity in the world |
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What You'll Learn
Freshwater mussels in lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks
Freshwater mussels are bivalve mollusks with a two-valved hard shell, a soft body, and a muscular foot. They are found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks, usually embedded in the bottom of these water bodies. They are filter feeders, constantly removing impurities, sequestering heavy metals, and even removing pharmaceuticals and bacteria such as E. coli. They also filter out silt, algae, and fungi, making the water cleaner and more oxygenated. A single freshwater mussel can filter 5 to 15 gallons of water per day.
Freshwater mussels support other species that enrich the water bodies they inhabit. Mussel beds provide habitat for many aquatic life forms, such as crayfish, snails, and fish that use empty mussel shells as refuge. Mussels also provide food for birds, otters, muskrats, raccoons, and other wildlife. Additionally, they are an important food source for fish, as they concentrate nutrients that feed macroinvertebrates, which in turn feed the fish.
The unique life cycle of freshwater mussels is adapted to colonizing new habitats and sustaining populations in both riverine and still-water habitats. Male mussels release sperm into the water, which is then taken in by female mussels. The fertilized eggs develop into embryos inside the female's special internal brooding pouch, called a marsupium. When mature, they are released as larvae, called glochidia, into the open water. The larvae must then find a host fish to attach to within a short period of time, or they will die. The glochidia typically attach to the gills of the fish but may also attach to the tails or fins. After a few weeks, the mussels drop off the gills as juveniles and burrow into the stream or lake bottom, where they will grow into adults.
Freshwater mussels are sensitive to environmental changes and are susceptible to habitat degradation due to their limited mobility, filter-feeding nature, and dependence on fish. They are excellent bioindicators, and their presence often indicates good water quality and a healthy water body. However, over 70% of all species of freshwater mussels are in decline, with some already extinct or endangered. The main factors contributing to their decline include the destruction of habitats by dams, increased siltation, channel alteration, and the introduction of invasive species such as the zebra mussel.
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Marine mussels in intertidal zones
Marine mussels are commonly found in the low and mid-intertidal zones of temperate seas across the globe. They are also found in tropical intertidal areas, but not in the same large numbers as in the temperate zones. Certain species of marine mussels prefer salt marshes or quiet bays, while others thrive in pounding surf, completely covering wave-washed rocks.
Mussels are primarily found in the upper-middle tidal zone. They are usually found clumping together on wave-washed rocks, each attached to the rock by its byssus or "beard". The clumping habit helps hold the mussels firm against the force of the waves. At low tide, mussels in the middle of a clump will undergo less water loss because of water capture by the other mussels.
The intertidal zone is vulnerable to the intense waves of winter and early spring, and to the daily change of tides. Twice a day, this environment completely changes. When tides are high, the rocky intertidal zone fills with fresh seawater. The waves can be forceful, and visiting fish pose a threat. At low tide, organisms are exposed to sunlight, air, and predatory mammals and seabirds.
The constantly changing conditions of the rocky intertidal zone characterise it as a disturbed ecosystem. The natural disturbance of changing tides plays a much bigger role in shaping this ecosystem than in other aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, which are often disturbed primarily by human activity.
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Shellfish safety and regulations
In the state of Washington, for example, gathering local shellfish is a popular activity. The Washington State Department of Health provides information on commercial shellfish operations, including licensing, certification, and permits. Additionally, the state offers details on public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches, along with harvest seasons, locations, and health status. Daily limits and harvest size rules are also provided to regulate the activity.
Other states, such as Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, and Texas, have their own shellfish-related regulations and guidance. These regulations cover a range of topics, including sanitation, food safety, harvesting rules, and consumer advisories.
It is crucial for individuals interested in fishing for shellfish to be aware of and adhere to the specific regulations and safety guidelines established by the relevant authorities in their respective states or regions. These regulations help maintain the sustainability of shellfish populations and ensure the safety of those consuming or handling shellfish.
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Tribal rights to harvest shellfish
Shellfish have been a mainstay of western Washington Indian tribes for thousands of years. Clams, crab, oysters, shrimp, and many other species are harvested for ceremonial, subsistence, and economic purposes. Tribes collect taxes from tribal members who sell shellfish, and these taxes are used to help pay for tribal natural resource programs.
The right to harvest shellfish lies within a series of treaties signed with representatives of the federal government in the 1850s. The treaty right to harvest shellfish was never extinguished; the sale of tidelands did not change the tribes’ treaty right. Each tribe has a “usual and accustomed” U&A harvest area that reflects the historical region in which finfish, shellfish, and other natural resources were collected. Tribal members are allowed to exercise their treaty-protected harvest rights only within their tribe’s U&A.
Before any tribal harvesting can occur on a beach, the tribes are required to conduct shellfish population surveys and estimates. A population survey can occur no more than once every year, and its cost must be paid for by the tribes. If the population survey indicates there is sufficient shellfish on the property to sustain a tribal harvest, then a tribal regulation opening that property for shellfish harvesting will be issued. Notice will be sent to the property owner and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The notice will include the quantity of shellfish that may be taken, the purpose of the harvest (commercial, subsistence or ceremonial), and the dates and times when the harvest will take place.
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Identifying mussels
Mussels are bivalve molluscs, which means their shell is made up of two hinged valves. These valves are joined on the outside by a ligament and closed by strong internal muscles. The shell has three layers and performs several functions, including supporting soft tissues, protecting from predators, and preventing desiccation.
Fresh mussels should have tightly closed shells. If the shell is open or gaping, the mussel is likely dead and should be discarded. However, some mussels may have slightly open shells, but they should close when tapped or gently squeezed. If they don't close, they are not fresh and should be avoided. Fresh mussels should also have a shiny, dark blue or black shell, with a slightly salty, oceanic smell. Heavier mussels are often fresher than lighter ones, as they likely contain more meat. When buying mussels, it is important to check the use-by date and choose the freshest mussels possible, as they have a very short shelf life.
Mussels can be further identified by their shell shape, which can be described by geometric figures. The anterior is the shorter end of the shell as measured from the beak, and this should be evident in species with a long, elliptical, or "narrow" shape. In species that are rhomboidal or "rounder", such as Leptodea ochracea, the shorter end may not be immediately apparent. The end where the growth lines are farthest from the beak is the posterior. In temperate latitudes, growth lines are laid down annually, so they can be counted to approximate the age of the mussel.
Marine mussels are usually found clumping together on wave-washed rocks, each attached by a byssus, a viscous secretion that hardens upon contact with seawater to form strong, elastic threads. These threads are also used as a defensive measure to immobilise predatory molluscs that invade mussel beds. In cooking, the byssus is known as the "beard" and is removed before or during preparation.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, you can fish for mussels in Washington state. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife provides a shellfish safety map and a guide to clam, mussel, and oyster harvesting seasons by beach. You can also find information on tribal rights to harvest shellfish on public and private tidelands in the Puget Sound and Hood Canal regions.
In the UK, you can purchase mussels from supermarkets such as Asda and Aldi.
When fishing with mussels, it is recommended to use cooked or smoked mussels as bait. Burying the hook in the mussel and adding garlic salt can also help attract larger fish.
