BROWNTOWN - Although it might be startling for some people to see dead fish floating on the surface of Zander Lake in Cadiz Springs State Park, it's a natural occurrence, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Brad Bates, park ranger for the DNR, said the fish floating in the lake died over the winter.
"It's a normal thing, depending on the severity of the winter," he said.
Dense ice in a shallow lake can use up the oxygen the fish need to survive, according to Don Martin, owner of Martin's Sports Shop on Monroe's Square. The ice also prevents sunlight from reaching plants in a lake, which also reduces the amount of oxygen.
"Unfortunately, this does happen," he said.
The sight of dead fish floating in the lake was a concern to Randy Gerber, Monroe. He said he called the DNR to find out why and didn't really get an answer.
Bates said he was at Zander Lake Wednesday. He didn't think there was a high number of fish floating on the lake. He's seen the effects of what he called "winter-kill" before.
"It happens every year," he said.
According to Bates, winter-kill occurs during especially long, harsh winters.
The fish begin to die in late winter, but they aren't noticed until the ice melts, he added.
The dead fish at Zander Lake are bluegill and bass. Those fish are more sensitive than others to a decrease of oxygen.
Bates said bacteria and animals such as raccoons and minks will likely clean up the dead fish in the next couple of weeks.
Cadiz Springs State Park was established in 1970, according to the DNR Web site. Zander Lake and Beckman Lake contain largemouth bass and an abundant population of panfish.
The combined surface area of the two lakes is 95 acres.
Brad Bates, park ranger for the DNR, said the fish floating in the lake died over the winter.
"It's a normal thing, depending on the severity of the winter," he said.
Dense ice in a shallow lake can use up the oxygen the fish need to survive, according to Don Martin, owner of Martin's Sports Shop on Monroe's Square. The ice also prevents sunlight from reaching plants in a lake, which also reduces the amount of oxygen.
"Unfortunately, this does happen," he said.
The sight of dead fish floating in the lake was a concern to Randy Gerber, Monroe. He said he called the DNR to find out why and didn't really get an answer.
Bates said he was at Zander Lake Wednesday. He didn't think there was a high number of fish floating on the lake. He's seen the effects of what he called "winter-kill" before.
"It happens every year," he said.
According to Bates, winter-kill occurs during especially long, harsh winters.
The fish begin to die in late winter, but they aren't noticed until the ice melts, he added.
The dead fish at Zander Lake are bluegill and bass. Those fish are more sensitive than others to a decrease of oxygen.
Bates said bacteria and animals such as raccoons and minks will likely clean up the dead fish in the next couple of weeks.
Cadiz Springs State Park was established in 1970, according to the DNR Web site. Zander Lake and Beckman Lake contain largemouth bass and an abundant population of panfish.
The combined surface area of the two lakes is 95 acres.