Zebra Mussel Update

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) get their name from the alternating black and white striped pattern on their shells. They have spread extensively in the Great Lakes region in the past decade. They attach themselves to any solid underwater object such as boat hulls, piers, intake pipes, plants, other bivalves (mussels) and even other zebra mussels.
Zebra Mussel
They were first discovered in North America in Lake St. Clair in June 1988. The mussels then spread to the rest of the Great Lakes. The first sighting in Lake Michigan was in June 1989. By 1990, zebra mussels had been found in all of the Great Lakes, and by 1991 they had made their way into the adjacent waters of the Great Lakes such as the Illinois River, which eventually led to their spread into the Mississippi River and all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.
Year Lakes with Discovered Zebra Mussels

Independence Grove Lake


Sterling Lake at Van Patten Woods, Fox Chain-O-Lakes, Gages Lake,
Lake Zurich, West Loon Lake, Lake Minear and Tower Lake


Bangs Lake, Cedar Lake, Third Lake


Druce Lake, East Loon Lake


Slocum Lake


Diamond Lake


Acorn Pond


Long Lake, Round Lake


Island Lake, St. Mary's Lake

These are the only officially documented occurrences of zebra mussels in inland lakes in Lake County.  However, the mussels have undoubtedly infested other County lakes but have probably gone unnoticed thus far.