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Posts: 392
Location: KY | Here is another documented case where hot water and low oxygen levels are killing sport fish. Maybe not Musky, but it would be hard not to see the correlation to fishing for musky in water over 80 degrees where oxygen levels are low.
Officials Implement Emergency Fish Regulation For Lake Cumberland
Sep 01, 2010
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett today issued a Wildlife Disaster Contingency Measure for Lake Cumberland which increases the creel limits and reduces size requirements for striped bass. Because of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels, striped bass are under severe stress and in some cases, dying.
The emergency regulations mean anglers may only catch two striped bass over 22 inches. Anglers must not catch and release striped bass over 22 inches, as these released fish are likely to die. After an angler catches two striped bass over 22 inches, the angler must stop fishing for striped bass.
State and federal officials have been closely monitoring water conditions for walleye and striped bass in Lake Cumberland throughout the summer.
Biologists noticed a number of striped bass were either dead or dying due to high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. With continued hot weather forecast, water conditions will likely continue to deteriorate. These conditions are particularly stressful to cool-water species such as striped bass and walleye. Fisheries biologists expect the occurrence of dead or dying fish to continue during the next three to four weeks.
The record summer heat and two major rainfalls since spring have raised water temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen in Lake Cumberland to levels that cool water fish species like striped bass and walleye cannot tolerate for extended periods. Fish species that are more tolerant of warmer water, such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill, are not as affected by the current conditions.
Lake Cumberland is being kept below its normal summer pool while repairs are ongoing to Wolf Creek Dam. The lower lake levels mean it cannot store as much cool water below or above the thermocline where there is enough oxygen for the cool-water fish.
Walleye and striped bass are especially susceptible to higher water temperatures. The increased stress on walleye and striped bass caught by anglers during the hottest weather conditions can lead to higher mortality of these species.
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hot water, low oxygen = stressed fish in KY