BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department says winterkill didn’t affect many lakes, despite colder-than-average temperatures.
Fisheries official Scott Gangl (GANG’-uhl) says only a few cases were considered significant enough to affect the quality of fishing.
Winterkill happens when heavy snowfall blocks sunlight from going into lakes. Plants die and stop giving off oxygen, and they also consume oxygen as they decompose. That limits oxygen available for fish.
Lakes that appear to have suffered a significant kill include Leland Dam in McKenzie County, Island Lake in Rolette County and the State Fair Pond in Ward County. They’ve already been restocked. Gangl says the State Fair Pond will have catchable fish this summer, but fish stocked in Leland Dam and Island Lake will take 2-3 years to be of catchable size.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.