Zebra Mussels Infest Minn. Lakes

MINNEAPOLIS - Three rivers and now 18 Minnesota lakes have been infested with zebra mussels. The latest is one of the most popular watering holes in the state, Lake Minnetonka.

The pest can clog up boat motors and drainage pipes and the mussel has the ability to squeeze out other aquatic life. The DNR was alerted to the zebra mussels at Lake Minnetonka by some snorkels early this week.

After searching the shores of the lake, the DNR did confirm the snorkel’s find.

Now everyone's trying to figure out how widespread the problem is and find ways to minimize the damage the zebra mussels can do.

The small mussels are not native to Minnesota and large infestations can impact fish populations and can cause costly repairs for boats. The mussels can attach themselves to boats and get inside motors.

A big way zebra mussels spread lake to lake is by boaters not cleaning and draining their boats then dropping them into another lake.

Education is key to help keep the zebra mussels from finding more Minnesota lakes to call home.