Minnesota Mixed Bag: Zebra mussels confirmed in Crow Wing County’s Manuel Mine Lake, Perch Lake

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake, near Crosby, and Perch Lake, near Baxter, both in Crow Wing County.

A lake user contacted the DNR after finding suspected zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake. DNR invasive species specialists found abundant zebra mussels attached to rocks, logs, native mussels and debris while conducting a scuba dive search of Manuel Mine Lake. A Perch Lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding a suspected zebra mussel attached to aquatic vegetation in the lake. DNR invasive species specialists found zebra mussels attached to aquatic vegetation along the north end of Perch Lake.

Citizens should contact a DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.

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STARRY STONEWORT CONFIRMED IN SPIDER LAKE IN HUBBARD COUNTY

St. Paul — The DNR has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae, starry stonewort, in Spider Lake, near Nevis, in Hubbard County. A contractor conducting early detection surveys contacted the DNR after finding the invasive in Spider Lake. DNR staff confirmed it was starry stonewort and is planning further surveys to assess the distribution and density of the invasive algae.

Starry stonewort is usually identified by the white, star-shaped structures, called bulbils, for which it is named. These bulbils typically become visible in late summer. People can find more information about how to identify starry stonewort on the DNR website.

Since it was first found in Minnesota in 2015, starry stonewort has been confirmed in 39 state water bodies. Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. The algae primarily spreads when fragments have not been properly cleaned from water-related equipment.

Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts. Early detection is key to effective management.

APPLY FOR SPECIAL YOUTH DEER HUNTS THROUGH AUG. 14

St. Paul — Once again, young people will be able to hunt deer with an adult in a number of state parks during several application-only special youth deer hunts. The special youth deer hunts help state parks manage their deer population. These firearms hunts are for youth who are age 12-15 at the time of the hunt and are accompanied by an adult. Hunters can apply for a limited number of permits from Monday, July 20, through Friday, Aug. 14.

Special youth deer hunts are different from the statewide youth deer season, which takes place Oct. 15-18 and does not require an application. More information on special hunts is available at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/special-deer-hunts.html.

Hunters need to know this year that lead-free ammunition will be required, without exception, in all special youth hunts in Minnesota state parks and Scientific and Natural Areas. To comply with lead-free requirements, all bullets, slugs, muzzleloader ammunition and other single projectiles must be made entirely of lead-free material approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For deer hunting, this typically means copper ammunition. More details about lead-free ammunition can be found on the DNR website.

WILDLIFE DRIVE OPENING AT ROSEAU RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Roseau, Minn. — The 27-mile Wildlife Drive within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area will be open July 18-26, Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9. The self-guided tour allows visitors to experience wetland, woodland, brushland and grassland habitats, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Roseau River WMA, managed by the DNR and located 20 miles northwest of Roseau, is part of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, which consists of 45 sites spanning a 223-mile corridor in the northwestern part of the state.

These sites offer some of the most spectacular birding in the state, along with scenic beauty and friendly communities. Approximately 149 bird species breed within the Roseau River WMA. Visitors can easily access the Wildlife Drive from the main dike road, which is about 2 miles south of the WMA headquarters on Roseau County Road 3. For current road conditions, a bird list, maps, fishing regulations and additional information, call 218-452-7610.

INVASIVE PALE SWALLOW-WORT DETECTED IN WISCONSIN

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR announced last week the confirmed presence of pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum), an invasive vine, in Oconto and Shawano counties. The vine was found within the outskirts of the town Krakow along the county line. These are the first known populations in Wisconsin, making rapid response efforts critical to preventing its permanent establishment.

Despite not having tendrils, this invasive vine twines and grows on top of surrounding vegetation, resulting in the displacement of native species in forests and grasslands. Both pale swallow-wort and its close relative, black swallow-wort (V. nigrum; also invasive), are within the milkweed family (Apocynacae) and can outcompete native milkweed. Monarch butterflies have been observed laying eggs on swallow-wort, but once they hatch, the caterpillars can’t survive on these non-native milkweed relatives.

Learn more about pale and black swallowwort at dnr.wisconsin.gov