Try not to disturb living mussels. If you should happen to move one,replace it on the riverbed or lake bottom in the same place and the same position as you found it. That will give the animal a fighting chance for continued survival.

Usually, a live mussel closes its shells tightly when it is disturbed, so you may not be able to see either its siphons which are usually above ground or its foot which is extended below ground. Observe the animal closely and find the hinge. The hinge and the longest end from the hinge stay above the soil. That is because the siphons which allow the animal to breathe are located in the long end. The shorter end may go into the soil a bit because it contains the foot which pulls the animal along the river bottom.

If you are interested in collecting shells, be aware that no state allows the collection of protected species without a permit. Each individual state has their own set of guidelines to classify the status of mussels. The Federal Government also has rules about the collection of threatened species. Identification of mussels can be very tricky. In some cases, the only way an animal can be identified is by examining the soft parts of a living mussel making it very difficult to know if you've found a very rare animal or a common one. So, though the shells may capture your imagination and your admiration, it is probably best to examine the shells where you find them and then leave them in their natural setting.

For Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota, the regulations for non-commercial collection of mussels vary significantly. North Dakota's laws are most stringent where no mussels may be taken. Wisconsin has the most lenient regulations where no license is required and up to 50 pounds of non-protected mussels may be taken per day as long as they are not sold or bartered.

The rules below are only for species that are not listed as protected within their respective locations. No protected species of any kind, anywhere, can be taken without a special permit. Rules change, so be sure to check with your local agencies before collecting mussels. What is presented here is just a small part of the rules for Minnesota, the four surrounding states and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. As of September 2001:

In Minnesota, the collection of mussels is part of fishing regulations. Check with the Department of Natural Resources for mussel collection guidelines; mussels are listed in the "Other Aquatic Species" section of the Fishing Regulations. Any person permitted by law to take fish may take and possess up to 24 whole or 48 shell halves of dead mussels if the harvesting is done by hand. No live mussels or clams may be harvested or sold without a special permit. More than half of Minnesota's mussel species are protected and no one may possess even the shell of these species without a permit.

"Under Wisconsin's clamming law, anyone who takes, possesses or transports 50 or fewer pounds of clams a day and who does not sell or barter any clams is considered a non-commercial clammer and does not need to obtain a license or permit. " (www.dnr.state.wi.us) That statement seems straightforward, but there are other, additional rules relating to the time of day collection may take place and rules relating to the use of boats and crowfoot bars.

In Iowa, a licensed individual may possess up to 20 pounds of live or dead mussels for personal use. Selling or bartering is prohibited.

An individual who has a fishing license in South Dakota is allowed to have 12 dozen mussels (144) in their possession for personal use only. The mussels may not be sold or bartered.

North Dakota specifies that a person must be licensed to take mussels, but seasons for clamming have been closed indefinitely "because of continued concern over the impacts commercial harvesting may have on clam populations." (North Dakota Fishing Regulations). The effect of closing the season is that no mussels may be collected.

Within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway which includes the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers, rules made by the National Park Service govern collection of mussel shells. In this National Scenic Riverway, no live mussels or empty shells can be taken regardless of their home state protection status.