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Lake Issues

Fish Kill 2022

We have heard many concerns about the high number of dead fish on our lake in the month of July.

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The following try to addresses those concern.

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- We spoke with our Lake Manager and they stated that the treatment in June was approximately 20 acres (Wamplers lake is 780 acres) and was done so long ago that any relationship to fish kills could not possibly be attributed to this treatment done weeks prior.

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-We are aware that the DNR and Fisheries have been contacted by some residents on the lake regarding the problem. They have taken water samples and evaluated the situation. We do not know the outcome of their findings at this time.

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-Research on line shows that Fish Kills are happening throughout our state and not just on Wamplers lake. Appears to mostly be attributed to the fast changing water temperatures and high water temperatures.

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- As additional information becomes available we will advise.

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Google search……………

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"Seeing dead fish along Lake Michigan and Michigan lakes?"                   

 

DNR says this year's die-off is 'larger than normal'

By Amber Ainsworth

Published June 22, 2022

FOX 2 Detroit

 

Many current articles available…….

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Dead fish pile up on shores of Lake Michigan in rare alewife die-off 

Jun 22, 2022 ... The shores of Lake Michigan are experiencing an abundance of dead fish as alewife are going through a seasonal die-off for the first time in ...

https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/environment/2022/06/28/lake-michigan-beaches-covered-dead-fish-after-alewife-die-off/7744203001

Lake Michigan beaches covered in dead fish after alewife die-off 

Jun 28, 2022 ... After an alewife die-off, dead fish are piling up on Lake Michigan's beaches. Petoskey official said the issue will solve itself over time.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/06/23/dead-alewife-fish-lake-michigan/7712205001

DNR: Alewife fish in Lake Michigan dying in masses like they used to 

Jun 23, 2022 ... The alewife fish, which is not native to the Great Lakes, is dying off in what is known as a “seasonal die-off” event in Lake Michigan, ...

https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/lake-michigan-sees-large-fish-kill-not-seen-in-years-dnr

Lake Michigan sees large fish kill "not seen in years": DNR - Audacy 

Jun 22, 2022 ... The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says alewife — prey fish that measure only 2 to 9 inches long — are experiencing a seasonal die-off ...

https://www.michiganradio.org/environment-climate-change/2022-06-22/why-are-so-many-dead-invasive-fish-washing-up-on-lake-michigan-beaches

Why are so many dead invasive fish washing up on Lake Michigan ... 

Jun 22, 2022 ... The invasive fish from the Atlantic is believed to have entered the Great Lakes through the Welland canal which allows ships to bypass Niagara ...

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/experts-explain-why-dead-fish-are-washing-ashore-along-lake-michigan

Experts explain why dead fish are washing ashore along Lake ... 

May 18, 2022 ... NORTHERN MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) -- If you've walked the beaches along Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan you may have seen dozens of dead ...

 

 Michigan Department of Natural Resources

 

SUMMER KILL

Summer kill occasionally occurs in lakes and streams during extremely hot summer weather. High temperature and low dissolved oxygen combine to stress the fish. Most prone to summer kills are pike, perch, suckers, bass, and bluegill living in shallow, productive lakes or bays with excessive amounts of algae or rooted aquatic vegetation. The plants consume large amounts of oxygen at night, causing a temporary shortage of the vital gas just before dawn. A cloudy, calm day extends the critical period by reducing re-oxygenation from photosynthesis and wave action. Apparently, fish in the oxygen-depleted areas do not sense the danger and swim to safety in time.

Summer kill may also occur in deep, unproductive lakes containing trout or cisco. These fish require both cold and well-oxygenated water. During summer they seek refuge in the cold bottom layers where temperatures are less than 72 degrees F. Death results if the oxygen level there declines below about 4 ppm. Trout will also die in streams if they are unable to find cold spring water. Several stream trout mortalities were reported during the hot summer of 1995.

The risk of some types of fish kills can be reduced by keeping as many nutrients out of the water as possible. Sources of nutrients include septic fields, fertilized lawns and farm fields, and wastes from livestock and waterfowl (including tame geese). Reducing nutrient input starts the following favorable chain reaction: production by aquatic plants is reduced, less decomposition is required, and oxygen will not become depressed to critical levels.

Natural fish kills are obnoxious, and may affect fishing and predator-prey "balance" for years. However, they are often not serious in the long run because lakes contain thousands of fish per acre. They may be thought of as nature's way of thinning out fish populations. Usually, fish kills indicate that the habitat is of marginal quality for certain species because of the broad range of weather conditions we experience in Michigan.

Infrequently, fish kills indicate habitat or pollution problems we may be able to correct. And sometimes, fish kills beneficially reduce over-populated, slow-growing panfish and actually increase growth rates and improve fishing.

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August  15, 2022

Here are some of the communications we received regarding the reported Fish kill in mid-July.

 

Here is what DNR sent us:

 

Staff gave us a pretty detailed background Wamplers lake and recent fish kills.  Through calls initially to the DNR Lansing office, emails, and one Eyes in the Field Report, the Waterford Fisheries Office responded to 5 reports of dead fish on Wampler’s Lake.  Most responses back were made via phone calls to the people who reported seeing the dead fish.  The first report was sent on 7/10 to the Wildlife Division email, which was then forwarded to the Fisheries email on 7/11 and we responded that day.  The last report was 7/15 and the person who reported did not return the DNR staff’s call until the following week.

 

When the lake residents were contacted, they reported that the dead fish were first observed right after July 4th and that there was a vegetation treatment in mid-June.  By the time the dead fish were reported to DNR staff, it had been at least 6 days since fish apparently started dying and the few pictures staff received showed fish that been dead for at least several plus days.  The fish primarily appeared to be two species – bass and bluegills - from photos.  None of the reports that followed up indicated seeing new fish that were dying during the week of reporting (week of July 11), they were all lacking in color and had been dead a several days (as indicated above). 

 

It sounds like from discussions with the reporting residents, at least one person was confused by a posting of an EGLE notice on the community Facebook page that was related to the standard posting notification that must be posted prior to a vegetation treatment stating to stay out of the water for a certain time period following the vegetation treatments.

 

Based on the information from residents, staff believe and reported to folks that contacted them, that due to the 90+ degree heat around the time of initial deaths that it was likely environmental related stress due to high temperatures and perhaps low oxygen. Some of the photos showed large amounts of decaying aquatic vegetation around the docks/shoreline, which can reduce oxygen. Fisheries staff report that this is not uncommon this time of the year in Southeast Michigan lakes.

 

As far as staff recall, none of the residents mentioned an algal bloom as the person who contacted you mentioned.  If they are concerned that they are having a harmful algal bloom, they should take pictures of the bloom and report it to EGLE.  EGLE requests that folks always report suspicious looking algae to them by calling the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278 or sending an e-mail to AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov. I defer to EGLE on any issues with water quality for this lake that their staff may or may not have observed etc. 

 

All residents who contacted the DNR were told to follow back up with staff if they started to see fresh dead fish or fish with lesions, and staff have not received any additional reports.  Given that there is no information staff can collect from fish that have been dead at least a week, and no reports of the event ongoing, there are currently no further steps to be taken by DNR Fisheries staff as of right now.  DNR Fisheries staff report that given the numbers of fish observed and few species, there is no indication that this was a pollution event and residents who contacted were informed of this by the staff at the time of contact. 

If any residents have additional fish kill information that would like to report or discuss, they can always reach out to local DNR staff at the Waterford Fisheries Office which can be contacted at 248-221-8887. 

 

And here is what the EGLE sent us:

 

Jackson District EGLE staff received notice of the Wamplers Lake fish kill through the Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS) at 9:51am on 7/14 and called the PEAS caller back for additional information shortly thereafter. Chemical lake treatments for invasive species were listed as a potential cause in the PEAS report, so EGLE Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) staff contacted the treatment contractor to determine when the most recent treatment occurred (nearly a month before the reported fish kill). Additional information including pictures was obtained from the PEAS caller.  However, the PEAS caller reported no signs of pollution or contamination on the lake.  Because EGLE is only to be the lead agency for fish kills caused by pollution or contamination, the kill was forwarded to DNR at 2:54pm on 7/14 as DNR is the lead agency for fish kills not associated with pollution or contamination.  Additional updates were sent to DNR on 7/15 after more investigation.

 

On 7/15, EGLE staff continued investigating the fish kill including a site visit to see the extent of the kill, speak with local citizens, and look for signs of pollution/contamination and for a potential cause of the fish kill. No potential causes of the kill were noted except some foam noted at one location that appeared to be naturally occurring (residents confirmed foam is frequently found at the location noted) and reports from residents that a storm with heavy winds occurred on 7/12. 

 

On 7/15, additional concerns of foam on Wamplers Lake were reported from a different citizen. Staff from EGLE’s Emerging Pollutants Section (EPS) took the lead on investigating potential sources of PFAS, evaluating nearby surface water samples, and reviewing photos provided by the citizen. The most recent correspondence between EGLE staff and the citizen confirmed that no known source had yet been identified and provided guidance on avoiding contact with any foams, natural or not.  EPS staff also provided the citizen with Michigan PFAS Action Response Team webpage links for information on PFAS and foam and offered to provide any further information related to PFAS should the caller request it.

 

On 7/27 and 7/28, the original PEAS caller reported additional dead fish, potential blue algae concerns, asked if water samples had been taken, and reported that an environmentalist had stopped out and stated that there could be a pollution source entering the lake.  EGLE staff responded stating that no water samples had been taken as there was no indication of what to sample for and also requested additional information and pictures. No response was ever received as the PEAS caller had been connected with DNR.

 

Staff have stopped out to investigate and sample blue-green algae reports on Wamplers Lake in previous years, so a bloom is certainly a possibility.

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