State officials say zebra mussels have infested a popular recreational lake in northeast South Dakota.
Game, Fish and Parks says the invasive species was recently found in Mina Lake west of Aberdeen. Staff discovered zebra mussels while moving buoys during seasonal maintenance.
The USGS says zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways, namely by disrupting the food chain. They’ve been confirmed in over a dozen lakes across South Dakota.
Game, Fish and Parks officials say this demonstrates of the importance of maintaining watercraft to slow the spread of these animals. They say the fall season is a good time to inspect watercraft, boat docks and other water equipment.
"This is another reminder of the importance of keeping watercraft clean, drained and dried," said Game, Fish and Parks quatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator Tanner Davis. "Fall is an excellent opportunity to make sure your equipment is mussel free as zebra mussel juveniles and adults will begin to show up to the naked eye on infested waters. All boaters and cabin owners should take a few extra minutes to look over their water infrastructure and make sure they are not accidentally transporting zebra mussels from one waterbody to the next.”
Inspecting watercraft that use Mina Lake is important to minimize the impacts to local waters, Davis said.