Lake of the Ozarks Fish Kill

In early March, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) received reports of dead fish at the Lake of the Ozarks. After investigating the incident, MDC concluded it was likely a natural fish kill, and that there is no reason for concern.

Fish kill events can occur naturally in Missouri, and they are classified as the sudden death of fish that occurs in a lake or stream. Each year, MDC handles around 100 fish kills and other water quality events that pose a threat to fish, wildlife, and recreation.

Of these events, 75-80% are caused by natural events, as is the case with this fish kill at the Lake of the Ozarks. The rest of these events are caused by pollution, chlorinated drinking water, or chemical spills that contaminate the waterways.

In this instance, the fish kill occurs when gizzard shad, which are planktivorous, come to shallower water to feed. Because the shallow water has been cold these last few weeks, the fish freeze and die.

Now that the ice is melting of the lake, it is likely that citizens will notice more dead gizzard shad. Fish kills of this type frequently occur around this time of year, and bass and crappie may benefit as the shad population will spawn heavily in response to the fish kill, providing the bass and crappie with more small shad available to be eaten.

In the aftermath of a fish kill, nature will take its course and allow the decomposition process to take place. Nutrients from this process will be fed back into the ecosystem, benefiting the local plants and animals.

Lake of the Ozarks (LOZ) is a reservoir created by impounding the Osage River in Missouri. Located approximately 45 miles southwest of Jefferson City, LOZ is Missouri’s most popular lake.

source: Missouri Department of Conservation