Invasive zebra mussels are confirmed to be living in at least two mine pit lakes in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday.
Heidi Wolf, Invasive Species Program Supervisor, said DNR divers found live zebra mussels in the Huntington and Mangan mine pits Aug. 4. A DNR release said the agency was initially tipped off by recreational divers.
"Alert divers contacted the DNR upon finding numerous zebra mussels in two abandoned mine pits," the release said. "Divers and all lake users are reminded to carefully clean and check their gear when leaving or entering any lake or moving from pit to pit, whether or not it is infested."
Wolf said the DNR would continue to look for additional mussel infestations in the mine pits.
"We are planning additional surveys at the end of the month or early September and are encouraging divers to report anything they might find that could be zebra mussels," she said.
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The DNR also confirmed four other lakes to have mussels: West Battle Lake and Otter Tail Lake in Otter Tail County, Pocket Lake in Douglas County and Lake Florida in Kandiyohi County.
Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic/index.html to learn more about aquatic invasive species or report an infestation to the DNR.
