Bluegills Stocked in Spring Lake - May 9, 2024

Zebra mussels are small animals with a striped, D-shaped shell composed of two hinged valves joined by a ligament. The shells are typically one-quarter inch to one and one-half inches long, depending on age, with alternating yellow and brownish colored stripes. Adults are typically fingernail-sized. Zebra mussels attach to hard surfaces underwater.

Invasive species cause recreational, economic, and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters.

Zebra mussel impacts:

• Encrust equipment, such as boat motors and hulls, which reduces performance and efficiency and is costly to clean and repair.
• Swimmers and pets can cut their feet on zebra mussels attached to rocks, docks, swim rafts and ladders.
• Create a costly problem for power plants, cities and residents when they clog water intakes.
• Filter tiny food particles out of the water, which can reduce available food for larval fish and other animals, and can increase aquatic plant growth as a result of increased water clarify.
• Attach to and kill native mussels.

People spread zebra mussels primarily through the movement of water-related equipment. Mussels attach to boats, docks, swim rafts and boat lifts. They can also attach to aquatic plants. Adult mussels can survive out of water – less than five days in dry conditions, but up to 21 days in very wet conditions (such as inside dock/lift pipes). Microscopic larvae (veligers) can survive in water contained in bait buckets, live wells, bilge areas, ballast tanks, motors and other water-containing devices.

Click the links below for tips on what you can do to help:

• https://springlakeassociation.org/newsletters (Review the 2022 4th Quarter Newsletter for article on Zebra Mussels)
• https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/.../door-knob-hanger-proof3...
• https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/shoreland_owners.html