DNR probes mysterious fish kill
Associated Press
August 26, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Indiana environmental officials are trying to determine why 200 fish have turned up dead recently in Prairie Creek.
After a heavy rain two weeks ago, fishermen and Prairie Creek crews began to find the walleye and white bass floating on the lake, some with red lesions or sores, according Ron Bonham, who supervises park operations at the lake.
"That storm would suggest a runoff, but we also thought it was lack of oxygen in water," Bonham said.
Muncie's water quality division did a preliminary investigation, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources took samples of some of the fish this week to Purdue University's diagnostic lab for testing.
As many as 200 dead fish were found, according to Rick Conrad, biologist for the water quality bureau.
"It is a pretty small kill," said Rick Conrad, biologist for the water quality bureau. "It does not have an impact on fishing."
Ed Braun, a state DNR biologist, said lake temperatures were high and helped deplete oxygen levels in the water. And walleye, which are a cool-water species, can be susceptible to disease while under stress from warm water, he said.
"Too much stress could be just getting the best of them," Braun said.
If fish carry infection, it is still safe to eat them as long as they are cooked, Conrad said.
Braun, who works at the Tri-Lakes Fishery Station near Columbia City, said results of Purdue tests would be known in two or three weeks.
Associated Press
August 26, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Indiana environmental officials are trying to determine why 200 fish have turned up dead recently in Prairie Creek.
After a heavy rain two weeks ago, fishermen and Prairie Creek crews began to find the walleye and white bass floating on the lake, some with red lesions or sores, according Ron Bonham, who supervises park operations at the lake.
"That storm would suggest a runoff, but we also thought it was lack of oxygen in water," Bonham said.
Muncie's water quality division did a preliminary investigation, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources took samples of some of the fish this week to Purdue University's diagnostic lab for testing.
As many as 200 dead fish were found, according to Rick Conrad, biologist for the water quality bureau.
"It is a pretty small kill," said Rick Conrad, biologist for the water quality bureau. "It does not have an impact on fishing."
Ed Braun, a state DNR biologist, said lake temperatures were high and helped deplete oxygen levels in the water. And walleye, which are a cool-water species, can be susceptible to disease while under stress from warm water, he said.
"Too much stress could be just getting the best of them," Braun said.
If fish carry infection, it is still safe to eat them as long as they are cooked, Conrad said.
Braun, who works at the Tri-Lakes Fishery Station near Columbia City, said results of Purdue tests would be known in two or three weeks.
