Invasive zebra mussels have been found in Big Cormorant Lake in northwestern Minnesota's Becker County. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that three live zebra mussels were found in different areas of the lake.

The found species are smaller than one inch in size. Mark Ranweiler with the Department of Natural Resources said that there are chances that treatment might not take place as the invasive mussels are not present at one place. For now, it is not known how the mussels entered into the lake.

Ranweiler, a DNR invasive species specialist, was of the view, "Although low in numbers, zebra mussels are present and distributed around Big Cormorant Lake, not localized in one area. Because zebra mussel discoveries were made in various locations in the lake, treatment does not appear to be an option".

The agency officials have suggested owners of water-related equipment to properly examine them. Boaters and anglers have been asked to be careful and not to spread invasive species. Minnesota Public Radio News has reported that mussels have been found in more than 200 Minnesota lakes and rivers.

The report has come after a July 15 report in which a property owner suspected zebra mussels. A DNR investigation has found shells of around 60 dead zebra mussels on a pontoon lift. The DNA said that in the last fall, the lift was taken out of the Crystal Lake in Otter Tail County and has been out of the water for at least eight months before being put in Big Cormorant Lake.