Sad Sight

[MCrump]

Was down evening of 3rd through evening of the 4th and saw between 10 and 20 dead walleye (and that was only at the end of each arm/dam area, there's probably many more) and probably 1/3 to 1/2 as many muskie that were dead and floating in the water. Looked at some news online and they are talking about the heat accompanied with so little rain causing this at another lake further north I believe. Causing low oxygen I think it said. As slow as this lake brought white bass back (if you are a believer they're back), a die-off of those 2 species would be terrible. I checked before posting because I figured MoPan would have the scoop on it already but I didn't see anything. 

[MOPanfisher]

There are some very nice walleye too.  Haven't seen any muskie, but may not have been in the correct spot.

[MrGiggles]

30 minutes ago, MCrump said:

Was down evening of 3rd through evening of the 4th and saw between 10 and 20 dead walleye (and that was only at the end of each arm/dam area, there's probably many more) and probably 1/3 to 1/2 as many muskie that were dead and floating in the water. Looked at some news online and they are talking about the heat accompanied with so little rain causing this at another lake further north I believe. Causing low oxygen I think it said. As slow as this lake brought white bass back (if you are a believer they're back), a die-off of those 2 species would be terrible. I checked before posting because I figured MoPan would have the scoop on it already but I didn't see anything. 

I find that hard to believe, this hasn't been a particularly hot or dry year yet.

It's been warmer than average, but the rainfall has been pretty steady.

[MOPanfisher]

Rainfall yes, inflow no.  Could be a number of things from low oxygen to a bacterial infection or parasite.  Either way there is nothing that can be done really. 

[oneshot]

The water is very warm and Musky can not handle it. Seems it has been too warm for all fish this year.

Last year the water was up for a long time.

oneshot

[MCrump]

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

There are some very nice walleye too.  Haven't seen any muskie, but may not have been in the correct spot.

You've got that right.... I wasn't willing to drag a bloated fish into the boat to measure it but I'd say all were keepers and some easily going past the 2 foot mark. 

[MoCarp]

any holes in them?

[Ham]

You’d have to ask around for a long time to find somebody that likes a fish kill. Hopefully, the people that should be asking questions (MDC) are asking the rights questions.

not much we as fishermen can do about it. Sucks. 

[MOPanfisher]

Not much they can do about it either except possibly identify why.  With what I saw yesterday I am thinking low dissolved oxygen.  A couple that were semi fresh (still had color and some pink in their gills) were grabbed and put in the freezer for them to inspect.

[tjm]

You have had rain? 

I have only had to mow the lawn twice all year.