Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Five Minnesota Lakes

Reports from citizens are frequently the first indication of a new infestation

The Department of Natural Resources have confirmed five new reports of zebra mussels in central Minnesota lakes.

Infested waters signs have been posted at DNR accesses on West Battle Lake and Otter Tail Lake in Otter Tail County, Lake Florida in Kandiyohi County, Pocket Lake in Douglas County and a network of abandoned mine pits in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Crow Wing County.

West Battle Lake: DNR invasive species staff found one adult zebra mussel in the area of an initial citizen report and three adult mussels about three miles from the initial report location. DNR will now monitor downstream lakes in Glendalough State Park.

Otter Tail Lake: A swimmer found a zebra mussel on a native clam, DNR officials searched the rest of the lake, and found no other zebra mussels. 

Lake Florida: DNR researchers found zebra mussel veligers (larvae) while doing other work in the lake. Veligers can be inadvertently, but illegally transported in water from an infested lake as ballast, in live wells or in bait water.

Pocket Lake: A swimmer reported a zebra mussel, no other mussels were found during extensive snorkeling searches, but connected lakes downstream have had heavy infestations for some time.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area: Alert divers found numerous zebra mussels in two abandoned mine pits, the DNR is surveying other pits in the area.

Reports from citizens are usually the first indication of a new infestation, and the DNR appreciates the partnership of lake users, county watershed districts, and lake associations.

To protect state’s waters from the spread of invasive species and the environmental, recreational, and economic damage they cause. Minnesota law requires boaters and anglers to:

–CLEAN their watercraft of aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
–DRAIN all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport.
–DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.

DNR watercraft inspectors will check to ensure that boaters and anglers follow clean, drain, dispose laws and may deny access if necessary. Decontamination stations are also set up to provide a free and thorough process of removing aquatic plants and animals.