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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed zebra mussels in three additional northern Minnesota lakes, including Moose Lake near Deer River in Itasca County — just south of Koochiching County. The other two confirmed lakes are Portage Lake near Bena and Inguadona Lake near Longville, both in Cass County.
The Itasca County confirmation is particularly close to home for area residents. A resident wading on the east side of Moose Lake first noticed a single zebra mussel and contacted the DNR. Follow-up searches turned up additional mussels on the southwest and west shores of the lake.
In Cass County, a resort owner on Portage Lake found adult zebra mussels attached to a native mussel caught near the lake outlet. On Inguadona Lake, a lake service provider spotted mussels on docks and equipment before DNR specialists confirmed a mussel attached to a native mussel at the public access.
While none of Koochiching County’s beloved waters — Rainy Lake, Kabetogama, Namakan, Crane Lake, or the Rainy River — are named in this release, the steady spread of zebra mussels across the region is a serious concern. Each new confirmation is a reminder that every boater plays a role in keeping invasive species out of our local lakes.
Minnesota law requires anyone using watercraft to follow these steps — on every lake, every trip:
Beyond what the law requires, the DNR encourages these extra precautions:
In Itasca County, a self-service decontamination unit is available at the Deer Lake public water access, right across Highway 19 from Moose Lake. It’s staffed by county watercraft inspectors and available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
If you think you’ve spotted zebra mussels or any other invasive species in a water body where they haven’t been confirmed, contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist. You can reach the DNR at 888-646-6367 or visit the aquatic invasive species page on the DNR website.
