However, freshwater mussels are not considered as tasty as saltwater mussels. Contaminants and pollutants in the water can also make them unsafe to eat.

Natural freshwater pearls occur in mussels for the same reason that saltwater pearls occur in oysters. Foreign material, usually a sharp object or parasite, enters a mussel and cannot be expelled.

With the spring temperatures, boaters will soon be out in force. The winds are forecasted to let up later this week. Authorities have always cautioned the public about picking up hitchhikers on ...