Zebra Mussels In North Dakota Lakes: What To Expect

Zebra Mussels in Lakes & Rivers

Are zebra mussels going to ruin all of our lakes? Okay, I know I'm going to take some heat on this, but here goes.  We've been hearing about zebra mussels for a long time now.  How they will destroy ecosystems, ruin beaches, clog up water intakes, compete with native species, etc.

You've seen the commercials and billboards from North Dakota Game and Fish: "Clean, Drain and Inspect."  Zebra mussels are a problem, but is it really all doom and gloom?  More on that in a moment.

Zebra mussels are now in several North Dakota lakes and rivers, including a new lake called Horseshoe Lake in Richland County, and you can bet more will be added in the future. Other waters include the Red River, Ryan Pond, Lake LaMoure, Lake Ashtabula, Lake Elsie, North & South Golden Lake, Twin Lake, Smishek Lake, the James River, and the Sheyenne River, all in eastern North Dakota.

So far, western North Dakota has been mostly spared (with the exception of Smishek Lake in Burke County), but you can bet zebra mussels are coming.  Here's a list and more on ANS-infested waters in North Dakota.

How Zebra Mussels Spread

Humans are considered the primary transporter of zebra mussels, but there are other spreaders.  According to Researchgate, waterfowl can transfer zebra mussels at the larvae stage. What are we going to do about millions of migrating waterfowl each year?  Not to mention other shorebirds, reptiles, and even mammals.

I'm very familiar with zebra mussels.  I have a cabin on Enemy Swim Lake in northeast South Dakota.  We've had zebra mussels present in the lake now going on for 5 years.

Rick Rider

(A very small zebra mussel that was found on our beach this past weekend.)

Enemy Swim is located about 5 miles south of Pickerel Lake in South Dakota.  Pickerel Lake has had zebra mussels for a few years longer than my lake.

Despite joint efforts from Fish and Game, cabin owner volunteers, and interns from Fish and Game with inspection points at the boat ramp, zebra mussels still found their way into my lake. I know we all did our part to prevent it, but I sometimes think that eventually, nature will take its course.

Do Zebra Mussels Destroy Lakes? 

There are a lot of big claims and theories out there.  No doubt it will affect your beach life.  You will have to wear water shoes because zebra mussels can be sharp and could cut your feet.  I know I swim with my water shoes normally anyway, as I don't like creepy crawlies touching my feet in the water.

Will Property Values Crash?

To be honest, no sign of that anywhere.  Many of Minnesota's lakes are infested with zebra mussels.  People are still spending millions of dollars for cabins on Minnetonka, Pelican, or Detroit Lakes area lakes.

Even Pickerel Lake, next to my lake, has people snatching up some very expensive million-dollar cabins. You can't even find a cabin for sale on my lake.  According to swnewsmedia, there's no link between a drop in property values and zebra mussels.

Some Positves

Zebra mussels will actually clear up the water they infest. This might improve the fishing, depending on the lake.  Species like Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Walleye, and even panfish are known to gorge on zebra mussel larvae.  You might catch bigger fish because of this.

Cleaner water means you will have more sunlight and more vegetation in the lake.  Again, this is thought to improve the size of the fish.  Fish will have more places to hide and grow bigger.  It may cause anglers to adapt to new strategies to catch fish. You will likely have to fish deeper.  In some cases, it could make fishing more difficult.

Do Zebra Mussels Destroy Ecosystmes?

I'm going to come right out and say it.  I think this is highly exaggerated.  I'm not a biologist and don't claim to be one. Zebra mussels have been in the Great Lakes since the 1980's.  The Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass have never been bigger.  People are still catching fish, and lakes are still alive.

Zebra mussels have been in Minnesota lakes for decades now, and the cabin owners I know say nothing has changed except a little extra cleaning on the docks when they pull them out each year. Lakes like Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, and all of the lakes around Detroit Lakes are still alive and well.

Let's face it: Even the highly prized Walleye is an invasive species to lakes in our area.

Bottom Line

When zebra mussels reach your favorite lake, it will certainly change the ecosystem. Your "lake life" will likely have to adapt to some necessary changes.

However, will zebra mussels turn your lake into a barren wasteland? I don't think so.  Adapt or die.  That's life in a nutshell.

Do I want zebra mussels in our lakes?  No, of course not.  However, I'm being realistic.  Sometimes you have to look for the good in the bad.