Zebra Mussels Found in Clearwater Lake, Ruth Lake

Officials confirm the presence of zebra mussels in two more Minnesota lakes.

The report comes one week to the day that Forest Lake in Washington County was found to have the same problem.

DNR officials say the zebra mussels got to Clearwater Lake and Ruth Lake by overland spread – likely attached to boats or docks, or in water that wasn’t drained from watercraft. All three will be labeled as “infested” with zebra mussels. The Department of Natural Resources stresses that this type of spread is preventable if Aquatic Invasive Species laws are followed, notably draining a boat after taking it out of the lake.

Zebra Mussels, an invasive species, have been spotted in Clearwater Lake.

A zebra mussel found in Ruth Lake. When those organisms are depleted, smaller fish and larva can starve, depleting options in the ecological food chain for sporting fish like walleye and northern.

More information about zebra mussels, how to inspect boats and other water-related equipment, a current list of infested waters, and how to report an infestation is available on the DNR website. In June, researchers in North Dakota found many larval zebra mussels, called veligers, at six sites on the Red River. Zebra mussels were found in a Red River tributary, the Otter Tail River, in 2012.

Additionally, a dock or lift being moved out of one water body must be left out of the water for 21 days before it enters a new water body.