BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding Michigan residents to not be alarmed if they spot dead fish in our water ways this spring. 

“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill. It can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals during seasonal changes. It’s a natural phenomenon, and these kills are localized. They typically do not affect the overall health of fish populations or fishing quality.” said DNR Fish Production Program Manager Aaron Switzer. 

Fish are also extremely susceptible to rapid water temperature changes as well as oxygen fluctuation's due the presence of ice on the water's surface during the transitionary period between winter and spring according to the Michigan DNR.

Often these deceased fish will have a fuzzy or infected look due to this lack of oxygen. 

“The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and dead aquatic animals under the ice.” says Switzer. 

The Michigan DNR does request that if you spot fish kills you should report them on the DNR's observation reporting website.

For more information on spring thaw fish kills, those interested can visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fish kills website for more.