Freshwater mussels are a fascinating, beneficial, enigmatic, and imperiled group of animals that need our protection. Typically hidden from view under the substrates of lake and stream bottoms, mussels feed by filtering water, which in turn improves water quality. While mussels are important, their reliance on fish hosts, declines in water quality, introductions of invasive species, and other perturbations have led to significant declines in most mussel species. In fact, of the 44 species found in Michigan, 19 (43%) are listed as endangered or threatened by the State. With a focus on mussels found in Michigan’s inland lakes, this session will focus on present information on mussels in Michigan and describe recent conservation guidance. First, Joe Rathbun, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (retired), will provide an overview of mussels and dispel some common myths about them. Next, Pete Badra, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, will discuss the distribution of mussels in Michigan’s inland lakes, including preliminary insights from a large-scale sampling project occurring in 2022. Finally, Cleyo Harris, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will discuss recently-developed protocols for surveying and relocating mussels.

Learn more about the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention presentations here.