LLAA Board of Directors Update on Snails in Long Lake

The Faucet Snail is on the tip of the pencil.

The LLAA Board of Directors wanted to let everyone know that the MN DNR has identified a couple of different snail species that are now found here in Long Lake.

The good news is that they ARE NOT the Big Four Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) mentioned in the recent Star Tribune article.

Our Hubbard County AIS Program Coordinator, Bill DonCarlos, reminded us today to be sure to continue to practice prevention and reiterated the importance to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and equipment.  Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.  You may call 218-252-6738 to make a convenient free appointment to decontaminate your watercraft when going between lakes.

1) The Faucet Snail verification by the MN DNR has placed Hubbard County's Long Lake on the infested waters list now displayed on the DNR website:  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html

The Faucet Snail is an intermediate host for three intestinal trematodes, or flukes that cause mortality in ducks and coots.  Faucet Snails are also found on First Crow Wing, Second Crow Wing and Upper Twin Lakes in Hubbard County. There is no known treatment option at this time.

Here are a couple of links that explain Faucet Snails more.

• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticanimals/faucet_snail/index.html
• http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/faucetsnail

2) These nuisance Banded Mystery Snails (pictured below) were found when a family was cleaning their swimming beach near the northwest end of the lake.  Another family on the northeast side of the lake has started a compost pile in their back acres with washed-up snails.

The Long Lake Area Association Board of Directors checked into these one inch snails and learned they were first noticed in the lake in 2011.

The Banded Mystery Snail is a species used in home aquariums.  Please don't let the kids bring their "pretty shells" to another lake.  There is no known treatment option at this time.

They are called mystery snails because in spring, they give birth to young, fully developed snails that suddenly and mysteriously appear.  After reproducing in their fourth year they die and their shells wash up on shore and smell.

Here are two links that help explain the Banded Mystery Snails even more:

• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticanimals/chinese_banded_mysterysnails/index.html
• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/laws.html#regulated

A letter in PDF form of this post can be found on the Board Communications Page.