3. MN/SD: Thousands of dead fish found in Lake Traverse.

 

> “An estimated 2,000-3,000 fish were found dead in…included freshwater drum, crappies, bluegills, white bass and bluegills. There was also a handful of smallmouth bass and walleye.”

 

> “DNR staff collected fish samples and checked dissolved oxygen in the water. The cause of the die off appears to be gas supersaturation trauma, also known as gas bubble disease, likely the result of an algae bloom in the lake [triggered by the mild, snowless winter].”

If I'm reading right the fish kill was caused by too much dissolved oxygen in the water?   That's interesting.  I could see thin ice "magnifying" the sun light kicking off algae growth.   

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

If I'm reading right the fish kill was caused by too much dissolved oxygen in the water?   That's interesting.  I could see thin ice "magnifying" the sun light kicking off algae growth.   

 

14 days ago i was fishing the traverse lake dam which feeds the Bois de Sioux river which flows north. I was constantly snagging fresh green algae off the rocks.

 

 

That is a new one in my book. We often hear of winter kill in shallow lakes here because of lack of oxygen as a result of thick ice and deep snow cover which limits sunlight. But I’ve never heard of oxygen saturation. This past winter was mostly devoid of snow and cold temps in the north.

In a nutshell explanation.

 

"The mild 2024 winter, sunny days and thin, clear ice provided conditions for algae to grow. Excessive algae can lead to higher-than-normal concentrations of oxygen and other gases in the water, which in turn, increase dissolved gases in the blood and tissues of fish, forming bubbles that can damage internal organs and kill the fish.

Popeye should have ate algae instead of spinach, its powerfull stuff.