Minnesota
High temperature and low water levels may be killing thousands of Minnesota fish. Hundreds of small crappies started floating to the surface of Martin Lake, near Wyoming, Minn. in Anoka County. The water level is low in Martin Lake.
According to DNR east-metro fisheries expert Dave Zappetillo, the fish kill may be "directly related to the low water conditions and the heat."
Because only crappies are dying, he doesn't think there's a chemical in the lake, polluting the water. He's guessing the weakest fish in the water can't handle the heat, "so they're more crowded, they're under a little bit more stress."
A DNR fisheries employee will go to Martin Lake Tuesday to investigate. A report of a similar fish kill of crappies on Orchard Lake in Dakota County also was handled by the DNR. They also believe that kill is due to the heat and the drought.
July 26, 2006 7:45 AM | Category: Lake