(Area) As ice exits area lakes and ponds, fish can be susceptible to winter kill.
Shallow ponds are more likely candidates of have a winter kill event according to Fisheries Biologist Bryan Hayes. “A relatively tough winter as we had snow cover on the ice from the end of December clear through the last couple of weeks. No light penetration down through the ice has allowed certain water bodies to have their oxygen get consumed from decaying vegetation and plant matter. That’s when you end up with a winter kill event.”
The DNR recommends those impacted by winter kill quickly develop a restocking plan. “You need to determine what survived. Those winter kill events usually aren’t complete and you likely had some survival of fish. Determining what survived is important for developing a restocking plan. The goal will be to re-establish large mouth bass and get some blue gill going for forage and then re-introduce any other species like channel catfish or crappies.”
Hayes says the Glenwood Park Pond experienced a winter kill event recently. It’s the third time in the last dozen years at that location.
