DNR Investigating Fish Kill on Kent Lake in Livingston County
Published: Monday, July 18, 2011 7:00 am
By: DNRE
The Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill of approximately 300-500 common carp in Kent Lake in Livingston County and in portions of the Huron River, upstream of the impoundment.
"The fish kill started around June 14 and we have already collected samples to try to determine the cause," said Liz Hay-Chmielewski, DNR Fisheries Division Lake Erie Management Unit Supervisor."This is a relatively small fish kill and there is no reason for anglers not to fish or boaters not to use this lake."
Fish kills at this time of year are usually associated with weather-related conditions, though occasionally it can be caused by pollution or improper use of herbicides or other chemicals. Disease is sometimes also a factor.
"It will take two to four weeks to get laboratory information back to allow us to understand what the cause of the fish kill could be," said Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division's fish production manager. "We want to remind anglers and boaters that they need to drain bilges and live wells upon leaving water, clean their boats and disinfect their gear, and not move live fish in order to reduce the possibility of any fish diseases being transported from waterbody to waterbody."
The public is encouraged to report any significant fish kills by sending an email to [email protected].
For more information about fish and fishing in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/fishing.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
