Zebra Mussels Found in Stearns County Lake

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed on Thursday that zebra mussels have been found in Pine Lake.

Located in Stearns County, near Saint Anna north of Avon, Pine Lake is part of a triangle with Pelican Lake and Two Rivers Lake. A homeowner contacted the DNR after finding the invasive species attached to a rock on his property. A specialist was able to discover another latched onto a log on the south side of the lake.

The DNR is reminding people that they are required by law to clean their boats, kayaks, and other watercraft, plus trailers and equipment. All water has to be drained with plugs left out while you are driving between lakes or back to your home.

Unused bait must be dropped into the trash and not dumped overboard. It is illegal to release bait, plants, or pets from your aquarium into the water. Docks, lifts, and rafts have to be allowed to dry for 21 days before they are moved between bodies of water.

The agency has some recommendations that go above what is required, including using wash stations to decontaminate your boat, cleaning with a high-pressure sprayer or rinsing with extremely hot water, and it asks you to dry out boats for five days before taking it to a different lake.

___