PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) have confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Pactola Reservoir in Pennington County.
Tanner Davis, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, says the mussel was found on a pair of sunglasses while an individual was spearfishing in Pactola.
Pactola Reservoir is now considered infested with zebra mussels.
G.F. & P. officials say all watercraft encountering a Watercraft Inspection/Decontamination (WID) station including non-motorized watercraft (canoes, kayaks, SUPs, and inflatables) need to be inspected. GFP has inspection stations at all larger western reservoirs. Inspection stations are the first line of defense in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Completely draining and drying a boat are the first steps in making sure invasive species are not transferred to other waters.
