|
June 2021 |
Hot
Weather Likely Contributing to Fish
Die-Offs |
Reporting
groupings of dead fish helps the DNR and
others know when a response is needed. |
|
Recent hot
weather may be contributing to fish
die-offs in lakes across the state,
according to the Minnesota Department of
Naturalo Resources. |
|
"Spring and
summer fish die-offs happen
occasionally, but we are getting
widespread reports of dead fish
following the recent prolonged stretch
of hot weather" said Tom Burri, DNR
limnology consultant. |
|
The DNR asks
the public to report fish die-offs.
People should call the state duty
offices @ 651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798
if they encounter a large group of dead
fish in a lake or stream. Calling in a
report provides a single point of
contact for the incident. An early
report also allows timely water sampling
or other response actions, if needed.
It's especially helpful to know what
fish types and sizes people see in a
fish die-off. |
|
In mid-spring
and summer, fish die-offs are often the
result of warming water and
opportunistic infections that spread in
fish populations that are already
stressed after the spawning season.
Species commonly observed in these
die-offs include sunfish, crappies and
bullheads, and, occasionally largemouth
bass and northern pike. |
|
"People tend
to be concerned when they find dead
fish, and they can help by reporting
that they see right away", Burri said.
"These reports help us determine whether
an investigation is needed". |
|
If there is an
immediate threat to life or property,
call 911 first. |
|
When die-offs
of wild fish are the result of disease
issues, the affected fish tend to be of
a single species and size range. By
contrast, when die-offs include multiple
species and size ranges, human activity
is more likely to be the cause. |
|
Human causes
of fish kills can include water
discharged at high temperatures, toxic
chemicals discharged or spilled,
pesticides and fertilizers, manure
runoff, and low oxygen levels in a lake
resulting from storm water that runs off
urban or rural landscapes. Often there
are multiple causes contributing to fish
deaths. |
|
More
information on fish kills is available
on the
DNR website. |
|
|
|
|