Fishing Forum

Hello all,
I am a student studying American freshwater [#ff0033]mussels[/#ff0033]. I live in Massachusetts where unfortunately there are not that many [#ff0033]mussels[/#ff0033] 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 [#ff0033]mussels[/#ff0033]) 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 spent shells 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. I am primarily looking for matching pairs (not single valves) and ones that 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 [#ff0033]mussels[/#ff0033] 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 helping me with this project. You can contact me through this site or directly at [url "mailto:kczaja@fas.harvard.edu"][#000000]kczaja@fas.harvard.edu[/#000000][/url]. Thank You!!!!! And good fishing!!!
-Kevin
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You should try a trip to the Adirondack Mtns. of NY.
Many waterbodies have them, lakes and streams.
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Down around Shoup on the Salmon River there are some big middens of mussel shells, but they were from Indians eating them, not muskrats.
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Thanks for the heads up. In fact, I'm planning a trip just outside of the the Adirondacks for this month. Might have to make a side trip!
-Thanks, Kevin
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Well that's pretty interesting! I heard of such middens, but I've never actually seen one in the flesh. Some people have studied such middens to compare the historic mussel fauna to the present. Fun stuff!

[quote mudsucker]Down around Shoup on the Salmon River there are some big middens of mussel shells, but they were from Indians eating them, not muskrats.[/quote]
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The whole Saranac drainage and the Sacandaga drainage are infested with them. Probably some others. Check with the NY DEC, I'll bet they could help alot.
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The snake river has mussels in it I have caught live and dead mussel shells quite often they are huge!!!! as big as your hand next time I am up there I will keep any I come across and look for this thread.
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We have a home on Brantingham Lake and have loads of fresh water mussels with a lavendar/pink inside shell. Do you have a sample of this one yet?
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Thank you so much! I look forward to anything you might find!

[quote Bassin_Blitz]The snake river has mussels in it I have caught live and dead mussel shells quite often they are huge!!!! as big as your hand next time I am up there I will keep any I come across and look for this thread.[/quote]
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Hello JDain,
I definitely do not have any samples of species from that area. Any shells you find and could share would be hugely appreciated!
-Thanks so much, Kevin

[quote JDain]We have a home on Brantingham Lake and have loads of fresh water mussels with a lavendar/pink inside shell. Do you have a sample of this one yet?[/quote]
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i picked about 200 from a stream called warm creek in the stanley basin over the weekend i probly could round some up if the family hasnt ate them all yet
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Hello jigs,
actually that is even more perfect. You can eat them and then send me the empty shells. Twice as productive!! [] Seriously, if you have native mussel shells you can share, I would hugely appreciated it. You can send any shells to:

Kevin Czaja
37 Dracut Street
Dorchester, MA 02124

-Thanks, Kevin

[quote jigs]i picked about 200 from a stream called warm creek in the stanley basin over the weekend i probly could round some up if the family hasnt ate them all yet[/quote]
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I tried to eat some Adirondack ones once, they were awful. Tough, super chewy and tasted bad.
Couldn't get enough garlic and tomatoe sauce on them to be edible.
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