DNR Says Invasive Species Confirmed In More Minnesota Lakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Starry stonewort has turned up in three more Minnesota lakes.

The Department of Natural Resources says the invasive macro algae was confirmed in Lake Winnibigoshish in Itasca and Cass counties, Moose Lake in Beltrami County and Rice Lake in Stearns County.

A resort owner on Moose Lake noticed a dense growth in the same area for several years. The DNR says the spread and depth of starry stonewort in Lake Winnibigoshish indicates it also has been there for several years.

Rice Lake is connected to Lake Koronis and Mud Lake, where starry stonewort was first confirmed in Minnesota in August 2015.

Lake Winnibigoshish is fed by — and flows into — the Mississippi River. The DNR is investigating whether starry stonewort has spread into the river and other downstream lakes.

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