Keeping an Eye Out for Quagga

November 7, 2019

Question: Do you have a map of California waters that are infested with quagga mussels? (Walter)

Answer: CDFW’s Fishing Guide at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ is updated in real time. Just select the filter for “Quagga Infested Areas” on the left.

You can also find a printable map of infested waters at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=140819&inline on our website. It is current, including the most recent quagga discovery in the Upper San Gabriel River in October 2017. However, it does not indicate all of the waters without mussels, nor does it depict stretches of flowing waters that are infested (e.g., the lower Colorado River).

CDFW works to monitor for new infestations of quagga and zebra mussels and other invasive species, but it is possible an infestation may be present but not yet detected. In order to prevent spreading mussels and other aquatic invasive species, watercraft and equipment that comes into contact with the waterbody should be cleaned, drained and dried after every outing.

Visit CDFW’s website https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Quagga-Mussels to learn more about quagga and zebra mussel management in California, and the precautions you can take to help prevent the spread of these invasive species. If you have specific questions, you are welcome to contact CDFW’s Invasive Species Program at (866) 440-9530 or at [email protected].