Lake residents brace for more invasive species

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 12:00 p.m., September 28, 2009

Members of the Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association and Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) know that invasive species will be the main concern as the groups close out 2009 and prepare for 2010. This comes in the wake of Zebra Mussels being found in Pelican Lake north of Pelican Rapids.

Both associations, which held board meetings this past week at the Ottertail Community Center, said it’s likely that invasives will show up in other lakes or rivers in Otter Tail County. Invasives also have been found at Lake Le Homme Dieu near Alexandria.

Another concern, expressed at both lake association gatherings, is the possibility of invasive species entering the Pelican River that flows from the chain of lakes adjacent to Pelican Lake.

For their part, both associations pledge to continue to do all they can to educate boat owners who use public accesses at lakes throughout Otter Tail County. This past summer college students were hired to help inspect boats and educate boat owners at public accesses. They concentrated their efforts at larger lakes, including Otter Tail and West Battle Lakes which have annual fishing tournaments.

“Boaters can prevent the spread of invasive species by removing weeds and visible debris from boats, trailers and draining livewells,” said Stan Fetters, a foundation member of the Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association. “We also urge owners of docks and boatlifts to be cautious before moving them between waters.”

His association includes property owners at Otter Tail, Walker, Blanche, Long, and Round lakes, as well as Otter Tail River North. The association currently has close to 870 members.

Fetters and the Foundation Committee are pursuing placement of upgraded informational signs, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), at public accesses.

“It’s disturbing to find that many boaters are unfamiliar with invasive species,” Fetters said. “Education is the key for what we’re trying to accomplish. The survival of our lakes is at stake.”

Pelican Lake is a 4,000-acre lake in the northwestern corner of Otter Tail County, about seven miles north of Pelican Rapids. After the invasives finding, Minnesota DNR officials said it was the first Zebra Mussel infestation found within the Red River basin watershed. Rivers within the watershed flow into the Red River, which flows north into Canada.

The DNR has declared Pelican Lake and portions of the Pelican River as infested waters, making it illegal to transport water or harvest bait from the lake and river.

“The invasive species issue is here to stay,” said Shawn Olson, COLA president, during the association’s monthly board meeting Saturday morning in Otter Tail. “Educating the general public on this issue will be an ongoing effort.”

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