Zebra mussels found in Six Mile Lake, Little Wolf Lake

CASS LAKE — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has found zebra mussels in two lakes on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation, the agency reported Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Six Mile Lake near Bena and Little Wolf Lake near the city of Cass Lake are the two lakes affected. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Department of Resource Management also discovered starry stonewort, an invasive algae species, in Six Mile Lake while conducting a snorkel search.

The zebra mussels in Little Wolf Lake were reported by an angler. A lake service provider found zebra mussels on a boat lift in Six Mile Lake.

Starry stonewort is usually identified by the star-shaped white bulb-like structures on the plant, which usually become visible in late summer. People can find more information about how to identify starry stonewort on the DNR website.

Since it was first found in Minnesota in 2015, starry stonewort has been confirmed in 40 waterbodies in the state. Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. The algae primarily spreads when fragments have not been properly cleaned from water-related equipment.

Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal from waterbodies can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts. Early detection is key to effective management.

Whether a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:

• Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species
• Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash
• Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters
• Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:

• Decontaminate watercraft and equipment. Find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website
• Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available
• Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.