GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As you get outdoors this spring, you might see groups of dead fish or other aquatic animals floating in some shallow ponds, lakes and streams. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding Michiganders that these fish kills are normal for this time of year.
Springtime fish kills are found after bodies of water thaw. Winter conditions can cause more aquatic animals to die as sunlight can't reach plants and oxygen decreases. Feeding is also less common during the winter, and low energy reserves make fish more easily stressed.
DNR officials say that while it might be concerning to see the fish kills, there's nothing to worry about.
"Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill," said Jeremiah Blaauw, DNR Fisheries Division biologist. "As the season changes, it can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These fish deaths are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality."
The fish you'll see floating this spring actually died over the winter, but are only visible as water thaws and warms up. The mild winter is expected to cut back on the amount of fish kills.
"We are expecting less mortality events this year with the limited ice cover we experienced throughout the majority of the state," Blaauw said. "People should still report their observations. We are especially interested in knowing what species of fish were observed, numbers observed, the estimated sizes of fish observed, and if it appears to be an ongoing mortality event.”
You can learn more about fish kills or report a fish kill in your area to the DNR at this link.
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