Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Leek and Trowbridge Lake in Otter Tail County

photo courtesy of MN DNR

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Leek Lake and Trowbridge Lake in Otter Tail County.

The two lakes are directly connected; A lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding two suspected zebra mussels on irrigation equipment being removed for the season.

A DNR invasive species specialist found adult zebra mussels attached to equipment in both lakes.

“Lake property owners and lake service provider businesses play an important role in detecting invasive species, by carefully examining boats, docks and lifts when they are being removed from the water at the end of the season,” DNR Invasive Species Unit Supervisor Heidi Wolf said.

Minnesota law requires that docks and lifts remain out of the water for at least 21 days after removal from a waterbody before they can be placed into another waterbody. In addition, anyone who transports a dock or lift from a shoreline property to an off-site location for storage or repair may need a permit to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.