OutdoorMN News - Zebra mussels confirmed in Walker Lake in Otter Tail County

[Rick]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in Walker Lake, connected and navigable to Otter Tail Lake in Otter Tail County. Zebra mussels were confirmed in Otter Tail Lake in August 2016.

A lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding five adult zebra mussels on an irrigation intake while removing it for the season. DNR invasive species staff found more zebra mussels on other equipment in the same area of the lake and where Walker Lake outlets into Otter Tail Lake.

“New zebra mussel populations are often discovered in the fall,” said DNR Invasive Species Unit Supervisor Heidi Wolf. “It’s important to carefully check docks, boat lifts and other equipment being removed for the season and to contact the DNR if you think you’ve found an invasive species.”

Minnesota law requires keeping docks and lifts out of the water for at least 21 days before putting them into another body of water.

The DNR recommends these steps for lake property owners:

• Look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons and rafts that may have been submerged in water for an extended period.
• Hire DNR-permitted lake service provider businesses to install or remove boats, docks, lifts and other water-related equipment. These businesses have received training on Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws and many have experience identifying and removing invasive species.
• Contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if you think you’ve discovered an invasive species that has not already been confirmed in the lake. Take a photo of any newly discovered invasive species before removing it from equipment. Save specimens or leave them in place until the DNR can investigate.

More information is available at www.mndnr.gov/AIS.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

[papadarv]

Not supprised, Walker is about 300 yards north of Ottertail lake on the dead river. Zebras are going on 3 yr in Ottertail and are everywhere. Water clairety, looking down, has gone from 10' to to 16 - 18 ft. June 2017 - June 2018. My nephew lives in the town of Ottertail goes to a small lake with zebras over 6 years. Water clairty at 6' 6 years ago, today near 20'. 6 years ago walleye fishing so-so. Today bigger and abundent. Same with Crappie. Now seeing many dead Zebra, less live. Everything that runs out of food dies. Maybe controlling food source might be an easier solution.