More Zebra mussels confirmed

[Lee Borgersen]

          Zebra mussels confirmed in lakes in Crow Wing, Itasca counties

10/30/17


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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in Serpent Lake in Crow Wing County, and in Dora Lake and connected waters in Itasca County.




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A lake service provider business removing a dock from Serpent Lake contacted the DNR after finding several suspected zebra mussels. DNR invasive species specialists confirmed zebra mussels attached to vegetation hanging from a removed dock at a second location, at the Highway 6/210 public access, approximately 1.3 miles away from the originally reported location.



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Itasca County aquatic invasive species staff found zebra mussels downstream of Sand Lake, where zebra mussels were confirmed in 2013. The DNR confirmed zebra mussels at the Shogren Dam; Dora Lake, a small, shallow lake downstream of Sand Lake; and in the Big Fork River, seven miles downstream from Dora Lake at the Itasca County Road 31 crossing near Wirt.


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Fall is an important time to check for zebra mussels, when docks and boat lifts are being removed from lakes at the end of the season. Look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of watercraft or equipment that may have been submerged in water for an extended period.





Minnesota law requires that docks and lifts be allowed to dry for at least 21 days before being placed in another body of water, whether aquatic invasive species are present or not.





Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires boaters and anglers to:







• Clean 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.



Some invasive species are small and difficult to see at the access. To remove or kill them, take one or more of the following precautions before moving to another waterbody, especially after leaving infested waters:     


•Spray with high-pressure water.
•Rinse with very hot water (120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two minutes or 140 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 seconds).
•Dry for at least five days.



Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes.








Contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if you think you have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that the DNR has not already confirmed in your lake.



More information is available at mndnr.gov/ais.

[Gunner55]

That is our neck of the woods. We've had them here since 2013 & they were thick on our equipment when we pulled it in 2015 & 2016. We just pulled our stuff last weekend & I would say there was about 1/10 as many as the 2 years previous. Many others around the lake are saying the same thing. Not everyone however, as a few are saying they have more.

[glenn57]

yea dora lake is like 15 miles north of us.  drive by serpent every time i head north!!!!

i noticed that to gunner.......... not near as many this past spring as the last time i was out on sand!!!!

[Jerkbiat]

What I have read is that when the infest a new lake they over populate then crash. They never go away but the population goes down. I figure if they are in the Big fork it will just be a matter of time before they are in Lake of the Woods. Oh joy!

[Gunner55]

That's what the DNR / County AIS guys are sayin here too. The system will only support so many & then they level out or crash. They really have changed this fishery as we used to have a water clarity reading that was usually in the 6-8' maybe 10' range, now they are finding it closer to 25' from late May until mid June, even early July some seasons. One of the main reasons I've went to fishing more before the sun comes up and / or after the sun goes down.

[LPS]

My brother called me from Ottertail the other day.  Someone had a sailboat moored in the lake all summer right by the Pelican Bay Access.  That is where our family land is.  He pulled it a week or two ago and the bottom of it had thousands of zebra mussels on it.  So?????    There you have it. 

[deadeye]

While on vacation this summer, my grandson found this zebra mussel in Lake Edward.  We called the DNR and being it was the first reported zebra mussel in this lake, they made a visit to confirm that it was indeed a zebra mussel.  They ask my grandson how he knew it was a zebra mussel.  He told them he had learned about them in school.  This was important to them because its part of their attempt to educate youth on AIS. 

Adult zebra mussel


Grandson with local DNR personnel

[glenn57]

Oh I'd bet Gramps and dad might of had a hand in that education!!

[Lee Borgersen]

      Da dreaded Zebra Mussels.

 The lake I most fish (Lake Geneva) in s/e Wisconsin is loaded wit deez bad boys. Back in da day when I first started fishin there one could see the bottom in 20 fow. Since da mussels started to infiltrate the lake you can now see da bottom in even deeper water. As you drag your Carolina rig along the bottom slowly, your 6# test needs to be checked frequently for scrapes & burrs. Even though the lake is mostly sand bottom. The sharp edges of the zebras will rag up your line. The lake is so clear your best bet is light line (finesse fishing). Another fact is that one zebra mussel da size of your baby finger nail will filter 1 liter of water per day. They discharge a mucus type solution that rests on the bottom of the lake. This helps to encourage as I call it (WITCHES HAIR). It's a slimy slippery gooey algae/weed growth that clings to everything that comes in contact wit it in Spring.

As the Spring season progresses da weeds finally begin to break through da witches hair ta reach for da sun. Soon after da mussels attach themselves to da weeds. Weeds are not made ta support the excessive weight of da mussels. Therefore da weed growth is not as healthy as it was in years past. Thus we have many weeds that are not a healthy fresh green color. They are now green, pail green, yellowish and partially black depending how many zebras have colonized on dem. Years ago we had beautiful huge areas of sandgrass. Those were the best fishing spots on da lake. Now you'd be hard pressed to find any decent sandgrass in da lake.


I could go on and on about zebra mussels but da more I talk about um da more depressed I get!

[Gunner55]

Zeebs are old news here now too. The next new scary thing on the AIS inspectors horizon here is Starry Stonewort. They've recently found it in Winnie, Cass, & others so it's probably heading down the Mississippi. It's said to grow so thick that you can't even get a boat thru it.

[Rebel SS]

We're gonna end up turning into the Florida keys. Think I'll invest in air boats and house trailers.