Boaters beware: State checking for zebra mussels

Boaters beware: Beginning this weekend, officials will be out in force trying to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels from Lake Mille Lacs, Prior Lake in Scott County and Rice Lake near Brainerd.

The Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with other law enforcement agencies, including sheriffs' departments, the State Patrol and tribal authorities, starting Memorial Day Weekend to check boats at those heavily used lakes. DNR conservation officers, watercraft inspectors and creel census clerks will be checking boats and informing boaters to inspect, remove and drain water from bait buckets, live wells and boats before leaving water accesses.

Violators face up to $500 fines.

The DNR wants boaters to "Pull the Plug" on aquatic hitchhikers such as zebra mussels. The increasing zebra mussel populations at Lake Mille Lacs and Rice Lake near Brainerd, and the discovery last month of zebra mussels in Prior Lake are a major concern. Officials fear boaters could inadvertently spread zebra mussels to other waters.

"Invasive species can be easily transported from one lake to another, so by taking some simple precautions citizens can minimize the risk," Capt. John Hunt, DNR water resource enforcement manager, said in a news release.

Hunt offered boaters these suggestions:

• Drain bait buckets, bilges and live wells before leaving any water access.

• Drain all water, including pulling the drain plug, as required by law when leaving waters that have been designated as infested with spiny water flea or zebra mussels.

The coordinated enforcement effort will include an increased presence at public water accesses, where officers will look closely for violators. Officers will also give out informational cards to all boaters. And billboards and newspaper ads are being used in the Mille Lacs and Brainerd areas to encourage boaters to prevent the spread of invasive species.

The discovery of zebra mussels in Prior Lake caused officials to boost inspection of boaters at Lake Minnetonka this year by 30 percent to try to top the spread of the invasive species there.

The non-native mussels proliferate and can smother native clams, cling in clusters to boats, docks, plants and water intakes and can be hard on the feet of beach users. They also can affect fish populations.