Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish Kill

Well, a little bit of some sad news. I found two bass both around 15-16 inches dead on my 3/4 acre pond. I am wondering what caused this?? I also found the fish about 5 ft away from the waters edge picked bone dry..

So what happened to these fish?
My thoughts..
I do have a water meal problem that covers most of the pond so that could be choking the oxygen out of the pond. Pond max depth is only 9ft which is about only 7 because of lack of rain and a slooooowwww leak.

I am certain that I do not have any otters. I do have snapping turtles but I dont think it is the cause because the fish were picked bone dry.

I stocked 10 pounds of GSH three days prior to the kill along with 200 3 inch blue gill. Could this effected the bass by having a buffet of forage fish under hot conditions and possibly low oxygenated water. Did the Bass gorge themselves to death?

Were the fish dead and a racoon pull them up on bank for a meal?

Man it just ruined my day. Almost like loosing the family dog.

When those of us that have experienced a dreaded "fish kill" see the word "fish kill" we think of a massive amount of fish dead and dying. Two fish to most of us is not a "fish kill," at least not due to low oxygen which is typically the cause. Don't get me wrong I am not making light of you losing those fish as no one wants to lose any of their fish.

I'm not saying this is not the beginning of a fish kill though or some other problem or impending problem. With only two fish dead there could be other problems such as predators i.e. otters, herons etc. Edit: (Oh I missed you said no Otters) Additionally occasionally a few fish die in a pond due to accumulated stress as in after spawning, parasites, old age etc.

I think we need more information. How big is your pond and how many adult bass do you think you have?

If you don't have an oxygen meter can you get up at the crack of dawn and see if any fish are piping at the surface? (The time of day when oxygen levels will be at their lowest.)

Yes raccoons will certainly pull dead fish up on the bank as will other scavengers. Snappers shouldn't be able to catch a large healthy swimming fish that I know of.

25 adult bass ranging from 12-17 inches
3/4 of an acre
been up in the morning and no sign of fish piping for oxygen
couple siting of some fishing birds. Cranes...

What I am really concerned about is the water meal. It is very light and only barely covers the water. Often times when the wind blows the water meal is pushed in the corner and does not cover the pond.

I think you just got a fluke. The numbers I am seeing are not out of the normal range. Sometimes fish just die. Its frustrating, but unless you start seeing more substantial die offs, I wouldn't fret too much.