Invasive Zebra Mussels Found In Wright County Lake: Officials

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN — An invasive species of mussels was recently found in a lake in Wright County, according to state officials.

Employees of a lake service-provider business found a dead zebra mussel as they were installing equipment at a property on Lake Pulaski in Buffalo at the start of the boating season, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials said.

Commercial divers later found a live zebra mussel in the water at the same location in Lake Pulaski, officials said.

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The Department of Natural Resources said it will partner with the Lake Pulaski Improvement District “on next steps.”

Zebra mussels compete with native species for food and habitat and can cut swimmers’ feet, impair boat motors and cause extensive damage to water-intake pipes, officials said.

Minnesota's first zebra mussels were found in Duluth in 1989, and they are thought to have been brought over on cargo ships from Europe, KSTP reported. They’ve been found in 273 lakes in Minnesota as of 2022, the report states.

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using a highly trained K-9 officer named Mack to search boats and trailers for zebra mussels, KSTP reported.

The 2-year-old uses his sense of smell to detect the invasive species, as well as other wildlife, firearms and shell casings, DNR Lt. Phil Mohs — Mack’s handler — told the outlet.

Boaters and lake-property owners should check their boats, trailers, docks, boat lifts and any other water-related equipment for invasive species when installing and removing them each year, officials said. Several zebra mussels have been found in recent years by people removing their equipment, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

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Anyone who finds a zebra mussel or other invasive species should call a local DNR specialist.

Minnesota law requires boaters and anglers to clean their watercraft and trailers of aquatic plants and banned invasive species; remove plugs to drain all water; and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, officials said.

Docks and lifts must remain out of water for at least 21 days after they are removed from a body of water under Minnesota state law, officials said.

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Because some invasive species are hard to see, watercraft should be sprayed with high-pressured water; rinsed with very hot water; or dried for at least five days, according to the DNR.

Click here for more information about Minnesota’s laws regarding aquatic invasive species and watercraft.

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