South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association

10/15/2026

Good news for Richmond Lake!

10/01/2026

ZEBRA MUSSELS CONFIRMED IN LAKE TRAVERSE

Minnesota DNR News Release
October 1, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Traverse Lake, near Browns Valley in Traverse County.

A Traverse Lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels attached to equipment that had been removed from the lake for the season. A DNR invasive species specialist confirmed zebra mussels attached to the property owner’s dock and boat lift and found zebra mussels attached to rocks at the Traverse County Park, about three miles from the location of the initial report.

Because Traverse Lake borders South Dakota, the Minnesota DNR has been in contact with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks about this aquatic invasive species confirmation.

See link to Minnesota DNR news release in comments

10/01/2026

MITCHELL GOLF COURSE HAS A ZEBRA MUSSEL PROBLEM

Mitchell Daily Republic 9/29/26
Zebra mussels in Lake Mitchell are showing up in Lakeview Golf Course irrigation systems. After a chemical mussels treatment brought some relief earlier this year to the irrigation system, Mitchell Golf and Cemetery Superintendent Jason Gunnare ordered a roughly $40,000 steel filter.

Gunnare noted chemical irrigation system treatments can be done on a regular basis, but is expensive, and plans to do treatments once a year. The mussels grow bigger wherever they are, even in the irrigation lines.

"It doesn't matter how good your filter is, that stuff's going to get through," Gunnare said.

The chemical treatment this year cost about $3,000. Future treatments are hoped to stop any zebra mussels spores that get past the filter. The filter is intended to catch larger, formed mussels, while the microscopic offspring can pass through it, according to Gunnare.

See link to full article in comments

09/23/2026

LAKE BOARD GEARING UP TO TACKLE KAMPESKA W**D PROBLEM

Roger Whittle, Watertown Current
September 22, 2026 excerpts

Members of the Lake Kampeska Water Project District Board of Directors are getting ready to roll up their sleeves and begin the process of solving the massive w**d problem in the lake. One of the biggest crowds ever for the
group’s board meeting – some 50
people – filled the Community Room at the Watertown Regional Library to get an update on a plan to keep the lake viable for swimmers, boaters and anglers.
Several years after Lake Kampeska became infested with zebra mussels, the aquatic pests have altered the lake’s water clarity, allowing more light to pe*****te deeper. The result
has been an explosion in aquatic
vegetation – both native and invasive plants – which negatively impacts recreation on the lake and keeps homeowners busy raking up huge amounts of w**ds from their shorelines.

Board Vice Chairman Brad Johnson unveiled a Lake Kampeska Aquatic Vegetation Action Plan, which he called a practical 30-day plan for
preparing a 2027 research and
management plan. He said the plan is to assemble the science, partners, permits and cost information needed to do a pilot
w**d-eradication program in two or three high-priority areas next
summer.

Source: See link to full article in comments

09/21/2026

KEEP THIS LAKE KILLER OUT OF OUR SOUTH DAKOTA WATERS!

More than a decade after an aquatic invasive species called starry stonewort was first discovered in Minnesota, it’s taking an ecological and economic toll on a growing number of the state’s beloved lakes.

Nicknamed the “lake killer” early on, the fast-growing algae can form dense mats that choke out native plants and tangle around boat motors and swimmers’ legs.

Since Minnesota confirmed its first infestation in 2015, it has spread to 40 water bodies, including Six Mile Lake in Cass County, which was confirmed just last week.

If caught early, starry stonewort is no longer considered a death sentence for lakes. Authorities, though, say it’s never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river. It remains a costly problem with no permanent cure.

Researchers have found that chemical treatments or hand pulling can temporarily reduce the algae’s abundance, but don’t stop it from regenerating.

Source: MPR News. See link to full article in comments

Pull Together. Stop The Spread!

09/21/2026

⚠️BOATER ALERT⚠️

Nuisance aquatic vegetation is increasingly becoming a hazard in our South Dakota lakes, particularly those with confirmed aquatic invasive species. One impact that marine dealers are reporting is plugged outboard motor water intakes. When lake w**d fragments or stringy filamentous algae get sucked into the intake (see photos), water can’t get drawn in to keep the motor cooled. This causes the motor to overheat and can quickly cause serious and costly damage to the engine.

The tell-tale sign of a plugged intake is water no longer flowing out of the engine “pee hole”. If this happens, immediately shut off the motor, raise it and inspect the intake. If it is plugged, carefully pick out the vegetation, using a paper clip, thumb tack or something similar. If that doesn’t work, you may need to flush water through the lower unit. Contact your marine dealer for advice and assistance specific to your motor and situation.

When boating in our lakes, stay clear of areas with excess vegetation and be alert for signs of a plugged motor intake. It will prevent a costly repair!

09/15/2026

🍂 Lake property owners! Be especially alert for aquatic invasive species this fall as you pull your docks and boat lifts from the water. New zebra mussel detections most commonly occur this time of year. Look for the tiny sunflower seed shaped shells on any dock or lift hard surface, but especially in corners where metal components join together. See photos below for an example.

If you think you may have found zebra mussels, contact your nearest SDGFP office.

08/27/2026

🚨HARMFUL ALGAE ALERT🚨

Excerpts from The Dakota Scout article….
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is cautioning the public on visiting their favorite lakes in the state, including four East River lakes – but none will be closed to visitors, including a popular swimming and boating venue near Sioux Falls. DANR issued a notice on Aug. 27 asking the public to be careful when recreating on lakes in South Dakota due to the potential for harmful algae blooms to develop rapidly.

According to the DANR’s Harmful Algal Bloom Map, there are currently four harmful algal bloom advisories in place for the following East River lakes: Twin Lakes (Spink County); Wall Lake (Minnehaha County); Lake Poinsett (Hamlin County); and Clear Lake (Hamlin County). The latter three lakes received advisory notices mid-August.

These advisories indicate “high risk conditions exist” at lakes with dangerous amounts of algal toxins or that there has been a confirmed report of symptoms of algal toxin exposure, according to DANR’s watershed protection webpage.

See The Dakota Scout article in Comments

08/21/2026

IDAHO REPORTS REDUCTION IN INVASIVE MUSSELS

Aggressive early detection efforts are allowing state officials in Idaho opportunities to contain and reduce invasive mussel populations before they become established. It’s a strategy focused on protecting waters and heading off the economic damage that invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders cause.

“Other states have shown us what happens when invasive mussel infestations are allowed to establish before action is taken,” said Governor Brad Little. “Those delayed responses have resulted in significant long-term management costs coming directly out of taxpayer pockets. Idaho has set the standard by responding aggressively. Our responsible strategy on the Snake River is proving to be effective, and we will continue making decisions that give us the best opportunity to eliminate quagga mussels to protect Idaho’s waters and the people who depend on them.”

This refreshing posture by Idaho officials is a stark contrast with South Dakota’s weak early detection efforts and “we can’t stop the spread of invasive species” attitude by our state leaders. We can do a better job protecting our precious waters for future generations and mitigating economic damage caused by aquatic invaders.

Pull Together. Stop the Spread.

08/19/2026

Many thanks to SDGFP conservation officers for taking boating safety enforcement seriously during this past July 4 holiday. It keeps our recreation waters safer for all to enjoy.

We’ve got about another month left in summer, and as you enjoy these last couple weeks we want to make sure you look back at this summer with good memories! This July, South Dakota Conservation Officers participated in the focused enforcement effort known as Operation Dry Water(July 3-5). Operation Dry Water is a year‑round campaign aimed at reducing alcohol‑ and drug‑related boating accidents and fatalities by increasing boater awareness and enforcing regulations against those operating a vessel under the influence, with a heightened enforcement period around the July Fourth weekend. Since 2009, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officers have taken part in this nationwide effort to promote safer waterways, focusing on deterring impaired boating, which remains the leading cause of recreational boater deaths.

During the enhanced enforcement weekend in 2026, 69 officers conducted 36 operations/patrols on the waters of South Dakota and checked 1,079 vessels and 3,822 boaters. Officers issued 74 citations and 195 warnings, addressed 102 non‑boating‑related violations, and arrested 11 individuals for operating vessels while intoxicated. We would like to remind everyone to boat responsibly for the rest of the summer, and always have a sober driver!