Hot Weather Continues to Stress Fish
Posted: 07/24/2012

The hot and dry conditions across the state continue to take its toll on Iowa fish.

A fish kill in the Des Moines River is occurring due to low water flows and high water temperature. This fish kill is in the same area as the fish kill that occurred on July 6-7.

“River conditions are getting worse, increasing an already stressful condition for fish,” said Mark Flammang, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The combination of low water and high temperatures stresses fish, especially those susceptible to warmer water, like sturgeon, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye.

Channel catfish and bullheads, two species that are more tolerant of warmer water, are also showing signs of stress.