I stopped at a 8 acre pond I fish to see if it had any fry in the shallows, ( No Fry yet it seems ). But I noticed a lot of fresh water clam shells on the edge and into the shallow water. Does anyone know what eats thes smmall clams? Is it a fish or crayfish? I am trying to understand the ecology of this pond to make my fishing better. Thanks in advance.
I have caught large catfish in a farm pond that was full of freshwater clams. All of the clams looked to be about 2" long when we cleaned the catfish.
Red Eared Sunfish, aka shellcrackers, thrive on freshwater clams. I stock them in my ponds for that specific purpose as the source of parasites/worms in fish is often the result of those clams and RES will control them…plus provide fly rod action.
sturgeon
Hi Folks,
When we stocked our pond,the hatchery recommended that we include (annually) generous supplies of the freshwater clams because the bass and panfish eat them but also because of the filtration that the clams provide to the water.
raccoons also love them.
RRhyne56
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Fresh water drum, or sheepshead. JGW
The coons are what threw those up on the bank.
The common carp eats freshwater clams also.
and so do birds…
Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement… 
Me, if we’re talking mussels!!! [Sorry, couldn’t resist]
Donald
the carp will too
up on the bank… probably raccoon or bird or otter, even.
I saw a family illegally “harvesting” them in the polluted shallows of an inland valley lake. I couldn’t communicate with them due to the language (and intelligence) barrier.
Yummmy!!
I eat freshwater clams and mussels! Properly prepared, they are absolutely delectable…
Semper Fi!
When fishing on the Little Red River in Arkansas last Thanksgiving I caught a rainbow that was full or freshwater clams. I found that odd.