OutdoorMN News - Zebra mussels confirmed in Pomme de Terre lakes and Perkins Lake in Grant and Stevens counties

[Rick]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in additional locations in a chain of lakes across Otter Tail, Grant and Stevens counties. Perkins Lake in Stevens County, Middle Pomme de Terre Lake and North Pomme de Terre Lake in Stevens County, and Pomme de Terre Lake in Grant County will be added to the infested waters list. 

All of the lakes are connected and between Barrett Lake, where zebra mussels were confirmed last month, and Ten Mile Lake, where zebra mussels were confirmed last year.

A Grant County sheriff’s deputy contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels on equipment being removed for the season from Tipsinah Mounds Campground Area at Pomme de Terre Lake. DNR invasive species specialists confirmed adult zebra mussels at several Pomme de Terre locations.

After receiving reports of zebra mussels in Perkins Lake, DNR invasive species specialists found multiple adult zebra mussels on several pieces of equipment. They also found an adult zebra mussel upstream between North Pomme de Terre Lake and Middle Pomme de Terre Lake.

“This is a key time of year to check for zebra mussels and other invasive species, especially when removing docks, boat lifts and sailboats that have been in the water for a long time,” said Heidi Wolf, DNR invasive species unit supervisor.

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.
• People should contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have 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.

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