The invasive two-inch wide golden mussel showed up near the Port of Stockton last fall. Since then, it’s spread south, extending to other waterways in the Delta and some in the San Joaquin Valley. Now, eyes are looking north to Lake Oroville, where the mussels could pose a large threat if they’re introduced. The reservoir is the second largest in California. … The mussels also pose a significant environmental threat. Eric See is with the Department of Water Resources. He said Lake Oroville feeds water into the Feather River Fish Hatchery through small diameter piping. It raises steelhead trout and chinook salmon. Chinook populations are threatened, and the state is currently trying to bring them back. If that pipe gets blocked, it cuts off water to the fish. … The mussels could also create large algae blooms that can kill fish and filter water, increasing aquatic weed growth. That makes it harder for fish in the water to navigate and find food.

Other fishery news:

• National Fisherman: Vitamin deficiency is killing salmon in California​
• SeafoodSource: US court sets deadline for NOAA to make ESA decisions on Chinook salmon