Aquatic Invasive Species Confirmed in Lakes Near Bena, City of Cass Lake | Lakeland News

Aquatic invasive species have officially been confirmed in two additional lakes located within Cass County, Minnesota, marking a significant development for local water management. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has verified the presence of starry stonewort and zebra mussels in Six Mile Lake near Bena, as well as zebra mussels in Little Wolf Lake near the city of Cass Lake. It is important to note that both affected lakes fall within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation, highlighting the specific ecological context in which these invasions are occurring. The discovery process involved multiple community members and organizations reporting suspicious findings to authorities. In Six Mile Lake, a lake service provider alerted the DNR after noticing zebra mussels on a boat lift, prompting staff to investigate and find numerous juvenile and adult specimens throughout the area. Simultaneously, staff from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Department of Resource Management reported finding starry stonewort during a snorkel search for invasive species; subsequent DNR investigation confirmed a low abundance of this algae near the lake's public access point. Further confirmation came from an angler in Little Wolf Lake who reported zebra mussels attached to vegetation that had been pulled from the water. Upon investigating this report, DNR invasive species staff located additional adult zebra mussels attached to native mussel beds near the site of the initial complaint. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring by boaters, anglers, and local resource managers, as early detection is crucial for preventing the spread of these harmful organisms that can disrupt local ecosystems and impact recreational activities.