Lake Monitors’ reports
Lake Monitors’ reports indicate several areas along the shore have small dead fish and a few report seeing large fish carcasses. There are several reasons for this. The first reason being the depth of the ice this winter and the length of time the ice covered the lake. The longer the ice covers the lake the less oxygen remains in the remaining deep water areas. Another reason for some fish kill is that small fish were probably caught in deeper pool areas that later froze down to the muck.
With the large fish, the problem could either be catch and release — especially in the winter, general stress from the hard winter, or general old age.
Some monitors have questioned the reason for the froth shown in the picture on the right — wondering if it had anything to do with the dead fish. That white froth is just the result of wave action on the natural phosphorus in the water. The lake would have exhibited this type of froth after windy days even before our area saw the first settlers. In the picture, if you look closely, you will see a light yellow scum along with the froth — that is also a totally natural occurrence. It is pollen from all the trees and shrubs and flowers around the lake. Regarding the heavy plant residue shown on the shoreline — that is unfortunately a fact of life around the lake at this time.
We have been in touch with the Ministry of Natural Resources and they have no comments to add to ours about this minor fish kill.