DNR CONTINUES FISH KILL INVESTIGATION AT STONEWALL JACKSON LAKE

(05/29/2010)
A fish kill at Stonewall Jackson Lake near Weston has spurred an investigation, with authorities unclear what has killed over 1,000 fish.

Bret Preston, Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section said the majority of dead fish were identified as crappie and were found primarily in the Jacksonville area of the lake.

Friday, DNR staff found dead crappie in the Oil Creek area of the lake, which is located approximately one mile from the original area where dead fish were found.

Fish samples have been taken by the DNR for health assessments by the United States Geological Survey's Leetown Science Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Northeast Fish Health Center.

The DNR believes that water quality and fish health analysis will provide clues to the origin of the kill.

Preston said that the DNR is not aware of any human health concerns with fish caught from Stonewall Jackson Lake provided that anglers handle, prepare, store and cook fish safely.

"It is understandable if anglers may be concerned with the appearance of crappie caught at Stonewall Jackson Lake at this time and they may elect not to keep crappie for consumption."