04-23-2008, 11:35 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the article.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have seen local fish dieoffs all over the country. In some cases it is sudden changes in water chemistry or temperature. In other cases it is a result of disease. In those cases you will see fish of all age classes dying. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In other cases it will be only certain age classes or gender specific. In many of those situations you will find that the fish dying are dying from lack of food for the affected group.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The perch dieoffs below Echo are most likely because of them being in the wrong place at the wrong time...when the turbines are turned on.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The dieoffs at Rockport and at Jordanelle in successive years have been generally attributed to a viral infection...since it was observed in perch of several age groups. But, without benefit of a lab analysis, that cannot be proven either.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The good news is that fish dieoffs are like forest fires. The initial damage seems frightening to us humans, but in the long run it may actually improve conditions overall. Seldom is the dieoff 100%. The survivors are genetically tougher and will produce tougher offspring in the future. Fishing might be slower for a couple of years, but it usually doesn't take long to recover if the water levels are high enough for a good spawn.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We have had a longer winter, with some waters having an ice cap longer than normal. There is always some winter mortality, but it could be worse on some lakes than others. Total water depth, existing weed growth, amount of light allowed through the ice, inlet water and other factors can all contribute to what happens to the fish under the ice during the winter.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Be properly thankful we now have open water...unless you are an iceaholic.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have seen local fish dieoffs all over the country. In some cases it is sudden changes in water chemistry or temperature. In other cases it is a result of disease. In those cases you will see fish of all age classes dying. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In other cases it will be only certain age classes or gender specific. In many of those situations you will find that the fish dying are dying from lack of food for the affected group.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The perch dieoffs below Echo are most likely because of them being in the wrong place at the wrong time...when the turbines are turned on.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The dieoffs at Rockport and at Jordanelle in successive years have been generally attributed to a viral infection...since it was observed in perch of several age groups. But, without benefit of a lab analysis, that cannot be proven either.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The good news is that fish dieoffs are like forest fires. The initial damage seems frightening to us humans, but in the long run it may actually improve conditions overall. Seldom is the dieoff 100%. The survivors are genetically tougher and will produce tougher offspring in the future. Fishing might be slower for a couple of years, but it usually doesn't take long to recover if the water levels are high enough for a good spawn.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We have had a longer winter, with some waters having an ice cap longer than normal. There is always some winter mortality, but it could be worse on some lakes than others. Total water depth, existing weed growth, amount of light allowed through the ice, inlet water and other factors can all contribute to what happens to the fish under the ice during the winter.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Be properly thankful we now have open water...unless you are an iceaholic.[/#0000ff]
[signature]