Online forum will focus on zebra mussel threat in northwest Wisconsin

Non-native zebra mussels cling to a native pocketbook mussel found in the St. Croix River at Prescott. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

Zebra Mussel Forum
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Virtual Microsoft Teams
Meeting opens at 8:45 a.m.
To receive the Microsoft Teams Meeting access information, email
colton.sorensen@polkcountywi.gov

With new populations of zebra mussels being found in NW Wisconsin, residents and decision-makers are concerned about the effects zebra mussels will have on our water resources. The Zebra Mussel Forum will cover a range of topics and case studies including:

zebra mussel establishment, growth, and impacts to the ecosystem
local decontamination actions to stop the spread of zebra mussels
zebra mussel monitoring
zebra mussel control research
zebra mussel management options for Wisconsin

Forum Agenda

All times include presentation and time for questions/answers.

9:00 Introduction and Microsoft Teams Overview

9:05 Introduction to Zebra Mussels

Establishment, Population Growth, and Impacts: Maureen Kalscheur, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

10:05 Zebra Mussel Impacts on Fisheries

Greg Matzke, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

10:35 Break

10:40 Decontamination in NW Wisconsin

Decontamination Ordinance:
Lisa Burns, Washburn County Land & Water Conservation
Lipsett Lake Pressure Washer Station:
Bob Baker, Lipsett Lake Association
Bone Lake CD3 Station:
Cary Olson, Bone Lake Management District
Indianhead Pro Muskie Tournament Decontamination Outreach:
Colton Sorensen, Polk County Land and Water Resources

11:40 McKenzie Lakes Prevention Efforts: CBCW and Signage

Sandy Swanson, McKenzie Lakes Association

12:00 Lunch

12:45 Zebra Mussel Monitoring

AIS CLMN Monitoring for Zebra Mussels:
Paul Skawinski, UWEX-Lakes
St. Croix Watershed Veliger Tow Project:
Marian Shaffer, National Park Service

1:15 Zebra Mussel Control Research

Angelique Dahlberg, Ph.D. University of Minnesota

2:15 Zebra Mussel Management Options for Wisconsin

Tyler Mesalk, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

3:00 Wrap Up and Adjourn