Lake Life | 2025

THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025

Weathering the zebra mussel threat

Kayaks offered for rent at the Clear Lake Marina along the pier in Wasagaming. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

ASAGAMING — In the heart of Riding Mountain National Park, nestled along the shores of Clear Lake, business owners have long thrived on the draw of the waters, landscapes and a loyal clientele returning year after year. BY ABIOLA ODUTOLA W

But in recent years, an invasive spe- cies has introduced uncertainty to this relaxed setting. Zebra mussels — tiny, sharp-shelled invaders — have stirred ecological concerns and economic ripple effects that local businesses are still working to navigate. The discovery of zebra mussels in Clear Lake in early 2023 sent shockwaves through the local com- munity, rivalling the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for rapidly colonizing and clogging waterways, zebra mussels threatened the lake’s biodiversity and lake-based recreation, a cornerstone of the area’s tourism-driven economy. For Karly McRae, co-owner of The Lakehouse — a boutique hotel, restau- rant, café and event property — the zebra mussel crisis posed one of the biggest tests in her 11 years of business.

“We saw about a 20 per cent dip in occupancy and restaurant revenue during May and June last year,” McRae told the Sun. The uncertainty around lake access during the early season, combined with restrictions implemented by Parks Canada, left both tourists and business owners scrambling. “People weren’t sure if they could boat, and that affected early bookings.” But McRae and her team didn’t sit still. The Lakehouse joined other area businesses and Travel Manitoba in an aggressive rebranding push. They pivoted the narrative from lake-centric tourism to highlighting the region’s diverse offerings: hiking, wildlife, culi- nary experiences and the sheer beauty of the park. “By July and August, things rebounded nicely,” she said. “And win- ter was one of our best seasons yet.”