Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Dead Fish

While fishing in our pond in East Texas this weekend, the bass we caught died soon after we put them in the fish basket dropped over the side of the boat. So were the minnows in the floating buckets at the side of the boat. The minows didn't last long as bait either that my grandson was using. Could this be some kind of oxygen problem? Ther were no dead fish anywhere to be seen.

Jim, I think that is a very strong possibility. I believe dying minnows is the real key. We have had a lot of overcast days with very little sun. Most dead fish sink instead of floating.

How was the fishing? Most times if you have low DO (near the point where you have problems) the stressed fish quit eating. If you had a fair amount of active fish that were eating then my WAG is it was not a DO problem (as in fish kill w/o being caught) but stress from being caught. Were the minnows from the pond or purchased? Purchased baitfish minnows are often hard to keep alive for long.

What were your water temps , and recent rain status ? Did the pond have a green tint?

If your surface water is quite warm that would definitely lead to mortality.

The minnows were purchased at the bait shop. But, they just didn't keep like in the past. Fishing was bad. Hardly any activity there and only the small bream could be seen. The surface water did not seem too hot. I've read about thermocline and stuff but I thought conditions were good. The bass not living long in the basket made me think there was some kind of oxygen problem near the surface.

Jim the most common way that happens (O2 depletion at the surface) this time of year is to have a plankton bloom in progress and then get cloudy weather and a good bit of cold rain washing in. Usually if that happens and the fish can't find a deeper refuge you will know it as a lot of fish will die.