Winter Fish Kills
With ice leaving the lakes around the country, another less pleasant sign of spring can be glimpsed along some shorelines. Winter fish kills happen late in the winter while ice is still on the lakes and snow blocks the light, killing aquatic plants.
Because the plants give off oxygen, the death of plants reduce the supply of oxygen in the water. This in turn sometimes kills fish in large numbers, especially in confined areas such as lagoons and bays. The bodies of the fish, trapped beneath the ice, become visible once the ice melts. Though some kills appear substantial, they generally have minimal impact on fish populations.
March 27, 2007 11:56 AM | Category: Fish