Above normal winterkill found in North Dakota lakes

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Fisheries biologists are conducting dissolved oxygen testing on quite a lot of lakes statewide to examine for winterkill.

“It’s one of many issues that we do each winter on choose lakes, primarily the lakes that we now have an affordable probability of experiencing some type of winterkill,” mentioned BJ Kratz, fisheries supervisor.  

Biologists additionally examine water readability, ice depths, water temperature, conductivity and pH ranges. 

Climate can definitely play a job within the standing of those fisheries throughout North Dakota’s leanest months.

“We’ve got had a good quantity of snow. However the massive factor is, is that a variety of this snow got here in December. And we now have discovered that the sooner the snowfall within the yr, the extra chance that we will expertise winterkills in a variety of our marginal waters,” mentioned Kratz.

Kratz mentioned with the quantity of snow on the ice, oxygen isn’t produced, after which the natural matter on the underside of the lake decomposes and consumes the remaining oxygen.

“We principally went out and checked a number of lakes now, and indications are that we’re definitely going to have greater than we now have had in a number of years, if not possibly even a decade,” mentioned Kratz.  

By the third week of February, biologists often have a good suggestion which lakes are having hassle.

“Probably the most indicative indicators that there’s in all probability situations which can be favorable for a winterkill is the scent of hydrogen sulfide fuel, just like the rotten egg proverbial factor that individuals discuss. In case your water has an odor like that to it, there’s a reasonably good probability that, at the least in that space, it isn’t going to be good for fishing on the very least,” mentioned Kratz.

If a lake does winterkill, biologists have a plan in place.

“We’ll attempt to get fish again in these water our bodies as quickly as we will. Perch are instance of that. Clearly, we don’t have the assets to entice and transport walleye a lot, but in addition too, by late February we will make some stocking changes,” mentioned Kratz.

Should you suspect a lake could have suffered a winterkill, report it to the Recreation and Fish Division at 701-328-6300.

Copyright 2023 KFYR. All rights reserved.