INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — This winter’s frigid weather could cause an unusual number of fish kills,
particularly in northern Indiana.
The
Indiana Department of Natural Resources says there’s ice up to 20
inches thick on lakes and ponds, not to mention record or near-record
snowfall. The agency’s fisheries biologists anticipate numerous fish
kill reports after the spring thaw.
Fish kills are commonly caused
by lack of oxygen. Some sunlight can penetrate clear ice and enable
aquatic plants to produce the life-giving gas, but snow can block
sunlight, cutting oxygen to dangerously low levels.
Once a winter kill starts, the DNR says there’s not much that can be done. Drilling holes in ice won’t
help.
Shallow, weedy ponds are more susceptible to winter kills. Biologists don’t expect big fish kills at deep
lakes and reservoirs.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — This winter’s frigid weather could cause an unusual number of fish kills,
particularly in northern Indiana.
The
Indiana Department of Natural Resources says there’s ice up to 20
inches thick on lakes and ponds, not to mention record or near-record
snowfall. The agency’s fisheries biologists anticipate numerous fish
kill reports after the spring thaw.
Fish kills are commonly caused
by lack of oxygen. Some sunlight can penetrate clear ice and enable
aquatic plants to produce the life-giving gas, but snow can block
sunlight, cutting oxygen to dangerously low levels.
Once a winter kill starts, the DNR says there’s not much that can be done. Drilling holes in ice won’t
help.
Shallow, weedy ponds are more susceptible to winter kills. Biologists don’t expect big fish kills at deep
lakes and reservoirs.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.