By Shay Lelonek / News Director

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says Zebra Mussels are confirmed to be in a lake in Morrison County.

After the DNR received reports of a zebra mussel found by a person fishing on Shamineau Lake, the DNR invasive species staff searched public accesses and other location in the lake and found another adult zebra mussel.

Zebra mussels are small invasive mollusks that cause severe ecological and economic damage by clogging and damaging pipes as well as killing native aquatic life.

Whether or not a lake is known to have invasive species, it is Minnesota law to clean all watercrafts, trailers, and equipment to remove invasive species.

The law also requires people to drain all water and leave plugs out during transport, dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, never release bait, plants, or aquarium plants into Minnesota waters, and to dry docks, lifts, and rafts for 21 days before moving them to another body of water.

If you think you’ve found a zebra mussel or any other invasive species not already known to be in a body of water, contact the DNR aquatic invasive species specialist.