invasive species

An invasive weed which has been spreading across the midwest has now been discovered in Minnesota. Palmer Amaranth, also known as Palmer Pigweed has been discovered on a farm in Yellow Medicine County.

Invasive species have been discovered in another central Minnesota lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says zebra mussels have been discovered in Lake Osakis near Alexandria.

The Minnesota DNR is asking boaters to take some extra time this holiday weekend to make sure boats and equipment are clean going in, and coming out of lakes and rivers to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Last summer, the aquatic invasive species Starry Stonewart was found in Paynesville's Lake Koronis. It's the first known infestation of Starry Stonewart in Minnesota. The Legislature took notice and passed a bill this session allocating $200,000 to help fight the weedy invader.

The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed reports of zebra mussels found in two Minnesota lakes, including one in Wright County.

The invasive species starry stonewart has been found in Lake Koronis in Stearns County and Mud Lake in Meeker County.

Zebra mussels have been found in a fourth lake in Minnesota this year.

A Morrison County lake will be designated as infested waters after zebra mussels were discovered last week. Fish Trap Lake is the first lake in Morrison County to be confirmed to have the invasive species.

More boat inspectors are on patrol at Minnesota lakes and rivers to help stop the spread of invasive species, including zebra mussels.

It turns out that an effort to rid Christmas Lake of zebra mussels has not succeeded.