Lake Okeechobee  Fish Kill

The last weekend on July brought about a fish kill on Lake Okeechobee.  This was not a surprise to many including myself and Don Fox of FWC. We had both predicted that we would have a fish kill in July or August when the water temperatures climbed. 

The kill occurred in Fisheating Bay, near the Twin Palms area. It was observed by a fisherman in the area and he took photos of the dead floating fish. The fisherman contacted the FWC with the information and they investigated the event. They found plenty of evidence, even though alligators and birds had already eaten a lot of the small fish that had been killed. Don Fox stated that most of the fish killed when a collapse of the algae bloom depleted oxygen, were on the small side. The bigger fish for the most part left the grass bed when the water quality started failing. Smaller fish , afraid to leave the protection of the grass bed for fear of becoming lunch for a bigger fish, died as the oxygen level quickly went downhill.

When I asked Don Fox of FWC, about how serious the kill was, he stated, "It was a significant fish kill. Most of the fish were on the smaller side fortunately, but it will happen again I am sure." He further explained, "The high levels of phosphates and nutrients in the water create the algae blooms that die off when cloudy weather is prevalent for a day or so. The decomposition of the dying algae depletes the oxygen level in the water killing the fish."

The lowering of the water level in Lake Okeechobee recently has began a slow process of new grass growth in the lake which helps filter and remove the nutrient load in the lake to lessen the chances of huge algae blooms. Run off from agriculture areas has pushed the phosphate levels in the lake way beyond a level that will sustain the lakes environment. Even now with the grass in some areas just beginning to show signs of a possible comeback, the SFWMD is calling for higher water levels again. We must all monitor this and the conditions on the lake or they will be telling the public that the lake is recovered and raise the water level again, destroying what small gains have been made.

Walt Reynolds, BASS Touring Pro

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