When the dreaded Zebra Mussel was first discovered in the Great Lakes in the late 1980’s, it was almost an inevitability that one day, the invasive freshwater mollusk would make its way into South Dakota lakes and rivers. That day came in 2014, when they were fist discovered in the Lewis and Clark Lake, which borders both South Dakota and Nebraska.
Since then, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Staff have faced a nearly impossible battle of keeping the devastating pests at bay. Zebra Mussels have since been discovered in Blue Dog Lake, north of Waubay, Pactola Reservoir near Rapid City, and Lake Mitchell, north of the town of Mitchell.
In 2023, the Zebra Mussel was officially found in the Big Sioux River:…