Parks Canada to stop testing for zebra mussels in Clear Lake, redirecting efforts to other lakes

Parks Canada says it will make a decision on allowing watercraft on Clear Lake next year due to the presence of zebra mussels.

A decision on future boat use on Clear Lake is set to be made in the new year, as officials warn zebra mussels have started reproducing and will now spread throughout the lake.

In a newsletter released on Monday, Parks Canada announced it is aiming to make a decision on watercraft management for Clear Lake by February 2026.

The service said zebra mussels are now reproducing in Clear Lake, meaning any future tests will always detect zebra mussels’ environmental DNA.

“For this reason, Parks Canada will stop testing for zebra mussel eDNA in Clear Lake and redirect efforts to other lakes in the park,” the newsletter reads.

So what happens now?

Parks Canada said over time, zebra mussels are likely to spread throughout the lake. Larvae is likely to travel downstream through Wasamin Creek, which connects to the Little Saskatchewan and Assiniboine river systems.

“It is still unknown exactly how far they may spread and whether they will find suitable habitats to settle and reproduce,” the newsletter reads.

So far, Parks Canada confirmed zebra mussels have not been detected in any of the outlying water bodies. The efforts are now shifted to protect the other lakes and water bodies in Riding Mountain National Park.

“Riding Mountain National Park will keep working with Manitoba’s aquatic invasive species team to prevent zebra mussels from spreading beyond the park,” the newsletter reads. “This includes boat inspections, decontamination, and monitoring Wasamin Creek.”

If evidence of the invasive species is found in another lake in Riding Mountain, Parks Canada said it will initiate a rapid response to confirm its presence.

“If zebra mussels are confirmed, Parks Canada will then evaluate potential containment and eradication options,” the newsletter said.

Live zebra mussels were found in Clear Lake’s Boat Cove in November 2023, prompting restrictions on boats and watercraft in the following years. Efforts to contain the invasive species failed, with zebra mussel larvae and juveniles found this past summer.

More details about Parks Canada zebra mussels management in Clear Lake can be found online.