Anglers urged to stop zebra mussels

Talk about it

With the start of the boating and fishing season, lake users should be mindful of an aquatic invasive species that has been found in Douglas County lakes – zebra mussels.

Zebra mussels were first discovered in the Alexandria lakes area in June 2009 – first in Lake L’Homme Dieu and later in Lake Geneva and Lake Carlos.

A total of seven Douglas County lakes have been designated as infested waters after the first initial discovery. The lakes include L’Homme Dieu, Jessie, Victoria, Geneva, Carlos, Darling and Alvin.

The county will host two “community input meetings” to present information and receive feedback on zebra mussels in local lakes. Speakers will discuss methods to limit their spread, such as channel restrictions between lakes.

Specifically, the county is considering restricting watercraft passage between Lakes Cowdry and Darling, and Victoria and Geneva.

The meetings will take place tonight, Friday, May 14 at LaGrand Town Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday, May 17 at Discovery Middle School Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.

All residents are invited to attend.

IT’S THE LAW

Before you leave a lake that has been labeled as infested waters with zebra mussels, you must do the following:

Drain water from motor, boat bilges, livewells and other boating equipment holding water. Drain plugs must be removed from bilges and livewells.

Drain water from bait containers. If you want to keep bait alive, you must replace water in bait containers with tap or spring water. Place unwanted bait in the trash.

Remove all aquatic plants and zebra mussels from your boat, trailer, anchors and other boating equipment.

For more information, contact the DNR at 1-888-MINNDNR (1-888-646-6367) or www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Tags: local news, zebra mussels, fishing opener, news, anglers, fishing