Harsh winter wheather causes fish kills in local lakes
Harsh winter weather conditions have caused several fish kills lakes in the Minneapolis area, according to a report by the Pioneer Press.https://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=9762#
Mike Adams, a senior biologist for the Lake County Health Department's Lakes Management Unit, said that fish kills are caused by lakes experiencing extended periods of ice and snow cover which cuts off sunlight to the deeper waters decreasing oxygen content.
As a result some of the fish populations die, sink to the bottom and create the "fishy smell" present around many of Minnesota's smaller and private lakes.
Adams said that certain species of fish, like trout, and larger species are most affected.
According the Minnesota Parks Department manager, fish kills are a natural part of Minnesota's environmental cycle and many of the species repopulate themselves without the need for restocking.
According to the Star Tribune. Diamond Lake, Grass Lake, Loring Pond, Powderhorn Lake and Lake Hiawatha are several local lakes where fish kills have been reported.