The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Sunday it has confirmed the presence of a zebra mussel larva in Goose Lake, located near Stark in Chisago County, adding the water body to the state’s list of infested lakes.
Water samples collected by the Wild River Conservancy and analyzed by the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, operated by the Science Museum of Minnesota, contained a zebra mussel veliger, the larval stage of the invasive mollusk.
The DNR has not discovered adult zebra mussels in the lake. However, the presence of a veliger suggests reproducing zebra mussel populations have become established in the water body. The Wild River Conservancy will continue monitoring zebra mussel populations in Goose Lake.
Zebra mussels, native to Eurasia, have spread throughout Minnesota waters since their initial detection in the state. The invasive species attach to hard surfaces, clog water intake pipes, damage boats and equipment, and alter aquatic ecosystems by filtering large quantities of plankton from the water.
Minnesota law requires all watercraft users to take specific steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, regardless of whether a lake is listed as infested. Boaters must clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species. All water must be drained from watercraft and drain plugs removed during transport. Unwanted bait must be disposed of in trash, and live bait, plants or aquarium pets must never be released into Minnesota waters.
Additional preventive measures can reduce spread risk. The DNR recommends decontaminating watercraft and equipment at free stations available throughout the state. Watercraft and equipment should be sprayed with high-pressure water when available or rinsed thoroughly if high-pressure water is unavailable. Equipment should be dried for at least five days before use in another water body.
Docks, lifts and rafts must be dried for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
Residents who believe they have found zebra mussels or other invasive species not previously known to be in a water body should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist. Additional information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.
