Dozens of dead fish have been spotted at Plaxton's Lake in the Wakamow Valley recently, the result of a winter that was colder than usual.
Pictures have popped up on the Moose Jaw Talks Facebook page showing pictures of dead fish near the shore.
The ice that develops on the lake during the winter can sink further and further below the surface the colder it becomes, explained Todd Johnson, incoming CEO of the Wakamow Valley Authority. This robs the water of oxygen and kills off larger fish; smaller fish survive since they need less oxygen.
Residents shouldn’t be too concerned about this happening, since it also happened in Wascana Lake in Regina, Johnson continued. Furthermore, there is nothing humans can do when the weather turns frosty. Even if people knew that oxygen was dissipating from the lake, there would be no way to thaw the ice.
“The weather does what it does,” he added.
Johnson has visited Plaxton's Lake to check out the dead fish. He has seen seagulls eating the fish. Out on the ice, he noticed raccoon tracks leading to encased fish. He believes that predators munching on the dead fish is nature’s sign that the circle of life goes on.
“I wouldn’t pick it up, (however),” laughed Johnson. “Even going down there last day, I saw all the ones that were frozen. When the ice is gone this weekend, there (will be) fewer and fewer all the time. Nature is taking care of itself.”
What might surprise some people is there are fish that size in the lake, Johnson pointed out. What’s positive about this situation is there are fish coming into Plaxton's Lake to use it.
What’s also exciting is the lake is a growing environment where people can fish in the city in the summer, he continued. There is a chance fishermen could catch one of those fish, without having to travel elsewhere.
“It’s a good thing we can see those animals,” said Johnson.
The Wakamow Valley Authority is working with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to increase angling. Both groups hope residents will discover there are fish in the water here and come fish for free this summer. Residents can use free rods and equipment as part of this initiative.
Johnson added this initiative would be a good experience for people living in Moose Jaw who want to take their children fishing for the first time.
