bait fish die off in the oswego river

[rlconverse]

seems to be alot of dead or dieing bait fish in the river this year! I belive them to be gizzard shad around 3" to 4" long but some are much larger. i could be wrong about them being shad. wondering if anyone knew more information on this. it seems very odd and concerning. only ones that seem to be benifiting are the seagulls. thank you for your time

[Gill-T]

Probably Gizzard Shad.  Place a call to the DEC to report die-off and they will investigate.  Hopefully not chemical.  Typically, Gizzard Shad fall prey to disease from stress of cold water conditions.  We are at the northern extent of their range.  They are also carriers of VHS virus and with the stress of the cold, the virus takes over and overwhelms their bodies.  

[Knotlost]

Seagulls were in by the thousands it was like a horror movie.

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[jimski2]

Deep water temperature is around 39 F. Degrees. Shallow water in the river near freezing could be the culprit here.

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[Gill-T]

Middle of the lake is still 47 degrees.

 

https://www.glerl.noaa.gov//res/glcfs/glcfs.php?lake=o&ext=vwt&type=N&hr=00

Edited December 25, 2016 by Gill-T

[BSmaster]

I went fishing yesterday in a river in PA. Dead gizzard shad and lots of seagulls. It happens every year and the fishing will stink for a while. You probably still should report it so they can tell you what is happening.

[bout time]

Here is a pic from Thursday by Ken Davis

'Bout Time

Mike

[GAMBLER]

Middle of the lake is still 47 degrees.

 

https://www.glerl.noaa.gov//res/glcfs/glcfs.php?lake=o&ext=vwt&type=N&hr=00

Our intake at our Greece plant shows 38 degrees and the Webster facility is showing 48.  It is really cool to see how wind changes the temps between both plants. 

[jimski2]

Oneida Lake could be near freezing and the source of the cold water.