Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Stephanie Hemphill
Otter Tail County, Minn.

Invasive zebra mussels reach Pelican Lake

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Zebra mussels
Zebra mussels are just one of many invasive species that have entered the Great Lakes through ballast water dumped by oceangoing ships. They have also been found in the Mississippi River and in inland lakes.
Photo by Simon van Mechelen, University of Amsterdam

Zebra mussels have been found in Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County.

A local resident found the invasive mussel this week.

DNR biologists found both adult and young zebra mussels, suggesting that they have been in the lake for more than a year.

Pelican Lake is connected to several other lakes and ultimately to the Red River. DNR officials are urging boaters to be extra vigilant to keep from spreading the zebra mussels.

The DNR will designate the lake and nearby portions of the Pelican River as zebra mussel-infested waters. That makes some activities illegal, such as harvesting bait and transporting water out of the lake.

This is the fifth new Minnesota lake to be identified as infested with zebra mussels this year. They were first discovered in Minnesota in 1989 in the Duluth harbor.

Gallery
1 of 1
Zebra mussels
Zebra mussels are just one of many invasive species that have entered the Great Lakes through ballast water dumped by oceangoing ships. They have also been found in the Mississippi River and in inland lakes.
Photo by Simon van Mechelen, University of Amsterdam