Zebra Mussels Spread to 19 More Inland Lakes

Volunteer reports in 1999 confirm that zebra mussels have spread to another 19 of Michigan's inland lakes, bringing the total number to 119 lakes colonized.

The additional lakes are Long Lake in Alpena County; Six Mile Lake in Antrim County; Union Lake in Branch County, Long and Windover lakes in Clare County; Mud Lake in Eaton County; Morrison Lake in Ionia County; Ackerson Lake in Jackson County; Blue and Lincoln Lakes in Kent County; Big, Cedar Island, Lower Straits, Middle Straits, Oxbow, Walnut, Wolverine and Woodhull Lakes in Oakland County; and McLaren Lake in Oceana County.

For a complete list of colonized lakes, visit our Zebra Mussel distribution map.

Volunteers collect the data each summer as part of a zebra mussel monitoring program supported by Michigan Sea Grant, the Michigan DNR, and the Michigan Lake and Stream Association (MLSA). The program relies on volunteers to help track the spread of zebra mussels in Michigan's inland waters. Water samples are sent to a laboratory where they are checked for evidence of microscopic zebra mussel veligers, the larvae, which have been found as much as two years before adult zebra mussels can be found clustering on hard surfaces such as rocks and docks.

Once found in a lake, zebra mussels can multiply rapidly, becoming a costly nuisance as they colonize underwater objects. They can also fundamentally change the composition of the lake.

"Because they filter water so thoroughly, water becomes clearer, and more sunlight reaches the bottom of the lake," said Sea Grant Extension Associate Mike Klepinger. "This in turn stimulates plant growth, and that can create additional problems."

Zebra mussels cannot be eradicated from a lake, but boaters and anglers can limit their spread by cleaning boating and fishing equipment before changing lakes, said Klepinger. Fishing gear, bait containers, trailers, boats, skis, motors, and paddles used in one lake should be thoroughly washed and dried before being used in another lake.

MLSA to oversee Monitoring

Sea Grant has been empowering MLSA to oversee the zebra mussel monitoring program.

To learn more about the veliger monitoring program or the adult monitoring program, see our related press release; or contact MLSA representative Pearl Bonnell at (517) 257-3583, www.mlswa.org.

The organization will provide the training and equipment necessary for volunteers to sample for zebra mussel veligers. MLSA will collect adult zebra mussel infestation reports as well.