Grace Jacobson / News Director

The DNR confirmed the presence of an invasive species in Stearns County.

The DNR confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Pine Lake near Saint Anna after a lakeshore resident found a zebra mussel on a rock in front of their property.

In follow-up searches, a DNR invasive species specialist found another adult zebra mussel attached to a log on the south end of the lake.

With the busy holiday weekend underway, the DNR wants to remind people that whether or not a lake has an invasive species, Minn. law requires people to:

• Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
• Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
• Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minn. waters.
• Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one body of water to another.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist with any findings of zebra mussels.