SAGINAW COUNTY, MI (WNEM) -
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said there have been numerous fish kills recently reported from around the state due to high temperatures and drought.
Officials with the DNR said staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Division is tracking and monitoring these events.
"We appreciate the public letting us know where they are seeing unusual fish kill events," said Jim Dexter, Fisheries Division chief. "This can be done by emailing reports to DNR-FISH-Report-Fish-Kills@michigan.gov."
The combination of very high water temperatures and drought flow conditions have made conditions very stressful for fish and, in many cases, these conditions are beyond lethal temperatures for fish. Additionally, high water temperatures also often result in low oxygen values, particularly where there is a lot of vegetation.
"For example, water temperatures of nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in the lower Shiawassee River last week, which resulted in a small kill of northern pike as temperatures were beyond their physiological ability to handle these conditions," explained Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. "We expect to see more of these fish kills until there are major changes in this summer's weather."
A stretch of triple-digit temperatures in early July is blamed for killing numerous pike across Michigan waterways, including in Bay County. Bangor Township Supervisor Terry Watson told TV5's James Felton two weeks ago that about 76 dead pike washed up onto the banks of the Kawkawlin River.
Watson said intense heat, with a combination of minimal rain, caused oxygen levels to drop dramatically in the waterways. Watson said bigger fish are more susceptible under these conditions.
"We recommend anglers be extra careful in handling and unhooking fish that are to be released to keep stress to a minimum. It is also best for our fish if anglers refrain from fishing during the hottest parts of the day and not keep fish to be released in live wells for very long," continued Whelan. "Fishing in the early morning period is least stressful for fish, as it has the coolest water temperatures."
For more information on fish kills in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing. Anyone who suspects a fish kill is caused by non-natural causes is asked to please call the nearest DNR office or Michigan's Pollution Emergency Alert System at 1-800-292-4706.
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Photo courtesy of Rachel Schmidt from an early July fish kill event.
