BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists investigated winterkills at 13 lakes this spring, and some are 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.
Popular fishing lakes that appear to have suffered a significant winterkill include Spring Lake, Davis Dam, Round Lake, Wentz WPA, School Section Lake, Cavanaugh Lake, Matejcek Dam, Casselton Reservoir and Bisek Slough.
Game and Fish restocks fish where needed.