What You Need to Know About Zebra Mussels

(Zebra mussels on boat prop & Zebra mussels on native mussel)

SIREN, Wis. – With the upcoming fishing opener just a couple days away, it is important to remember the new issues facing Burnett and Washburn County Lakes this year.

Zebra Mussels were found last fall in Big McKenzie Lake. While not good news to start out the year, there are things each of us can do to stop the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species to other lakes and rivers. A phrase can guide us when we use our area lakes and rivers: “Inspect, remove, drain, and never move.” And we should share this phrase with friends and family who use area lakes too. More online zebra mussel information can be found at burnettcounty.com/lakes.

In October 2016, an alert property owner found two zebra mussels on the southern shore of Big McKenzie Lake. The Wisconsin DNR’s follow-up inspections found one more at the same location and six at the northeast corner of the lake. Also in October, a single zebra mussel was found in Polk County’s Deer Lake. The likelihood of zebra mussels infecting a lake is based on the calcium content in the water to support the mussel.

There is no known selective treatment for zebra mussels at this time. The negative impacts of zebra mussels are both environmental and economic. Zebra mussels compete for food with the immature and smaller prey species of fish. This can lead to a collapse or severe impairment of the fishery food chain from the bottom up. In addition, zebra mussels encrust boats, motors, docks, and water intake systems. Their shells are very sharp and cut the feet of humans who are swimming or walking along the beaches barefoot.

(Zebra mussels on native mussel)

Our best pro-active response to all invasive species is to stop their spread by eliminating aquatic threats from our boat and trailer. Inspect, remove, drain, and never move (aquatic plants). If we visit a lake that already has zebra mussels in it, decontamination activities are highly recommended.

Zebra mussels were found last fall in Big McKenzie Lake. While not good news to start out the year, there are things each of us can do to stop the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species to other lakes and rivers. A phrase can guide us when we use our area lakes and rivers: “Inspect, remove, drain, and never move.” And we should share this phrase with friends and family who use area lakes too. More online zebra mussel information can be found at burnettcounty.com/lakes.

(Zebra mussel infestation on Ormond Lock)

Clean boats, clean waters activities are not just for visitors to lakes. They are prevention activities for all lake users including kayakers and canoers, duck hunters, lakeshore property owners, families and friends, resort visitors, and boat/dock service providers. The local lakes partnership team of UW-Extension, Burnett County Lakes and Rivers Association, WI DNR, and Burnett County Land and Water Conservation have been in communication with local boat/dock service providers and have been encouraging them to implement clean boats, clean waters procedures. Emphasis has been on implementing decontamination procedures for equipment used on Big McKenzie Lake. Please let your provider know you expect clean boat/clean waters procedures to be used.

Our collective effort can make a significant difference in stopping the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.

(Zebra mussel)

The local lakes partnership team of UW-Extension, Burnett County Lakes and Rivers Association, Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association, WI DNR, and Burnett County Land and Water Conservation have been in communication with local boat/dock service providers and have been encouraging them to implement clean boats, clean waters procedures. Emphasis has been on implementing decontamination procedures for equipment used on Big McKenzie Lake. Please let your provider know you expect clean boat/clean waters procedures to be used.

Our collective effort can make a significant difference in stopping the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.

While zebra mussels can be harmful to lakes, there are limits to where they can thrive. One of the key physical characteristics is the amount of calcium in the water column. At least seven studies have identified calcium levels as the limiting factor in determining if zebra mussels can reproduce and thrive in our lakes and rivers. A recent study by university researchers identified three classes of waters related to zebra mussels. The categories are: not suitable, borderline suitable, and suitable. The list as it applies to Burnett and Washburn County lakes and rivers is below. For people who love maps, you can view the Invasive Species Interactive Mapping System by going to: http://www.aissmartprevention.wisc.edu/mappingtool.php