Z mussels in 4 new MN lakes.

[Lee Borgersen]

  Zebra mussels confirmed in 4 more Minnesota lakes.

Sep 22, 2016 at 11:22 a.m.
 
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Zebra mussels were found at Big Birch Lake, in Todd and Stearns counties. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed four new reports of zebra mussels in state lakes: Lake Sallie in Becker County; Lake Andrew in Douglas County; Lac qui Parle in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties; and Big Birch Lake in Todd and Stearns counties.

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“New zebra mussel infestations are often discovered at the end of the boating and fishing season, when docks and lifts are being taken out of the water,” said Heidi Wolf, DNR invasive species unit supervisor, in a release.

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“It is important to carefully check for zebra mussels on docks and lifts, and Minnesota law requires that they be allowed to dry for at least 21 days before they can be placed in another body of water. If docks and lifts can be left out of water over winter before being installed in a new water, that’s optimal.”


DNR invasive species specialists confirmed zebra mussels at three locations in Lake Sallie in Becker County. The initial report came from a lake property owner who spotted a half-inch zebra mussel on his dock. Lake Sallie is downstream of Detroit Lake, where zebra mussels were confirmed earlier this year.

DNR invasive species specialists confirmed zebra mussels on offshore buoys in Lake Andrew in Douglas County. In follow-up searches, DNR staff confirmed additional zebra mussels at a public access about a mile from the first confirmed site.

Invasive species specialists also confirmed zebra mussels in Lac qui Parle Lake, a reservoir on the Minnesota River in western Minnesota. The reservoir flows through portions of Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties. DNR staff are conducting searches on waters downstream of the reservoir.

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DNR invasive species specialists confirmed one adult zebra mussel at the county access on the southeast side of Big Birch Lake, in Todd and Stearns counties. Numerous young zebra mussels were found at a lakeshore property about one-third mile from the access.

Zebra mussels are an invasive (non-native) species that 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.

 


 
Zebra mussels were found at Big Birch Lake, in Todd and Stearns counties. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed four new reports of zebra mussels in state lakes: Lake Sallie in Becker County; Lake Andrew in Douglas County; Lac qui Parle in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties; and Big Birch Lake in Todd and Stearns counties

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