The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says this is the time of year when we may see a lot of dead fish in lakes around the state.
DNR Fish Production Program Manager Aaron Switzer tells us fish kills are normal as ice melts and spring arrives.
“Typically, it’s going to happen on smaller water bodies, smaller lakes, smaller ponds, but it can happen just about on any water body that’s been covered with ice and snow for the last few months,” Switzer said.
Switzer says fish kills happen as a result of ice and snow that’s been sitting on top of frozen lakes for months. The snow cuts off sunlight to underwater vegetation.
“Those plants can’t continue to produce oxygen as they normally would and then compounded with that is when those plants start to decay, bacteria are eating those plants and absorbing more of that oxygen.”
And that kills the fish, which are already weak due to the lower supply of food throughout the winter. Switzer says it’s not too surprising to see 100 dead fish washing up along an inland lakeshore.
The DNR appreciates reports about fish kills from the public. Switzer suggests sending a photo with any report you make via the DNR’s Eyes in the Field site. You can find it right here.
