Large-scale fish kill reported in Fox River, lower Green Bay.

I'd swear... but I do it all the time. I just wish they would have used an appropriate species instead of a picture of brown trout.


The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that a large-scale fish die-off has occurred in the Fox River and lower Green Bay waters. The reports came in on June 18, the same week that severe weather including heat waves, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall struck throughout Wisconsin. Monitoring efforts by the DNR began on June 20, and water quality samples appear normal. The reason for the die-off remains unknown.

According to the DNR, the majority of the fish were found downstream of the De Pere Dam, and in Green Bay. Some dead fish, however, were reported further north towards southern Door County, upstream on the Fox River, and near Wrightstown Dam. It is unclear where the fish originated. Strong currents and winds could have pushed them into Green Bay.

Monitoring of water quality and an investigation into the die-off are ongoing. DNR Northeast District Fisheries supervisor David Boyarski said that inspecting dead fish may have limited usefulness. “Many of the dead fish we’ve recovered have, unfortunately, been too decomposed for testing,” said Boyarski. “We need to conduct necessary disease testing to try and understand why this is happening. It’s important that anyone who finds either dying or freshly dead fish contact us immediately.”

It’s also important to look out for dying fish, which can’t maintain their balance or are floating listlessly along the surface. Freshly dead fish, which are useful for testing, can be identified by their pink gills. The DNR stresses that only dying or freshly dead fish need to be reported, and warns the public not to handle dead or diseased fish.

https://wisconsinexaminer.com/brief/large-scale-fish-kill-reported-in-fox-river-lower-green-bay/