LAKE COUNTY — As the American Bass Association kicked off its season opener on Saturday morning, 23 boats braved a chilly 36-degree start. 

But the most important participant didn't have a fishing rod; she had a highly trained nose.

Meet Edna (nicknamed "E-DNA"), a 6-year-old chocolate lab and scent detection dog. 

Alongside her handler, Alison Herrold, Edna is the front line of defense against invasive species that threaten the health of Lake County’s waterways.

Edna is part of a specialized team from Mussel Dogs and Lake County Water Resources, operated by Dogs with Jobs LLC. 

Their mission is to prevent the spread of quagga, zebra and golden mussels — invasive filter feeders that strain essential food particles like phytoplankton, zooplankton and algae from the water, disrupting the entire local ecosystem.

The stakes for Lake County are incredibly high. 

Eighty percent of Lake County residents rely on the lake for their water. An infestation would "wreak havoc" on the county’s water pipes and infrastructure, according to water experts.

By partnering with federal, state and municipal agencies, Mussel Dogs uses the most effective methods to keep these species out of the water and keep the lake open for recreation.

While traditional inspections can be time-consuming, Edna makes the process seamless for  visitors and local anglers.

“It’s amazing; it takes 30 seconds to a minute for Edna to inspect a boat,” said Herrold.

The program is designed to be boater-friendly. Inspections are completely free to the boater. If mussels are found, the county provides decontamination services at no charge.

While private launch ramps remain a challenge, the team works diligently at public ramps to ensure the lake remains both safe and enjoyable.

When she isn't working the major bass tournaments hosted at Clear Lake, Edna stays at the Mussel Dogs facility in Ukiah. 

Herrold, who also teaches K-9 nose work — “the sport of scent detection” — ensures Edna remains at the top of her game.

Thanks to this partnership between local government, Lake County Water Resources and specialized scent-detection teams, Lake County’s waters remain protected — one 30-second sniff at a time. 

Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.