Dead Smelt?

[Alumacraft 175]

Heard a rumor that dead smelt are washing up on shore on Lake Sak...

 

[ORCUS DEMENS]

I was at Wolf Creek Campground two weeks ago and they were washing up then.

 

[Tillerman2095]

The G&F biologist are claiming that there is a bacteria that has been formed with changing water temps and it effects the smelt. If anyone remembers this isn't the first time or is it going to be the last of the smelt die offs. There was a report on this earlier in the month about this topic that the G&F had put out. This is normal from what I've seen in the lake. When we se dead walleyes or other speicies of fish then I'll worry.

 

[jdinny]

yeah the G& F put something out 2 weeks ago about the die off up at white earth bay to the van hook arm. they were washing up on shore up there at that time from talking to a couple cabin owners up there

 

[WormWiggler]

by intake?
http://www.facebook.com/wtfmoments.rz/videos/1769998826566064/

 

[shorthairsrus]

Wolf creek. Water temp couldn't changed that much. Or is this smelt showing up now

 

[NodakBuckeye]

Friend saw a few a 2-3 weeks ago or so, they would see 1 or 2 every 75 yards while they worked the shore line. Probably a combo of bacteria and rigors of spawn and dodging the 3.5 billion freaking white bass out there. I had to hand out numbers and lower a sign that said "now catching number ____"

 

[dukgnfsn]

[h=1]From the G&F site a few weeks ago
Rainbow Smelt Die-off Occurring in Lake Sakakawea[/h] Friday, May 13, 2016


A fish kill affecting adult rainbow smelt is ongoing in portions of the upper half of Lake Sakakawea, according to Dave Fryda, Missouri River System fisheries supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Fryda said the cause of the die-off has been documented numerous times in North Dakota in the past. “The vast majority of the dead and dying smelt have physical signs of Columnaris bacteria,” said Fryda, “we’ve recovered infected fish from White Earth Bay downstream to Deepwater Bay and Van Hook Arm.”
Columnaris bacteria are present in all water bodies, and outbreaks typically occur when rapid water temperature changes occur at a time when the fish are stressed, such as after spawning. “The smelt recently spawned in Lake Sakakawea, and were recovering from that stress when we experienced near record-high temperatures last week which boosted the water temperature in the shallow bays where the smelt spawned,” Fryda added.
Smelt affected by Columnaris often develop visible skin irritations that have the appearance of fuzz or mold. Although there is no known cause for concern when in physical contact with these fish, the department suggests to leave the fish alone.
Lake Sakakawea has not had a widespread smelt die-offs since the mid- to late 1980s, a time when the overall smelt population was very high. Fryda said the current smelt population is the highest it’s been for decades, so that is likely part of the reason the bacteria has spread over such a wide area.
The overall significance of this year’s die-off will likely be minimal, however, Fryda said the effects on the population won’t be known until later this summer when fisheries crews assess the adult smelt population.

 

[dean nelson]

Funny how they talk upper end but I pretty sure last time I checked wolf creek wasn't that far north! Still makes me nervous when it's over such a wide area.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

I was marking so much bait and fish I kept thinking my new Lowrance was still in demo mode last night.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

We could have used help on the walleye, caught a bunch of white bass. Took 20 minutes to set 4 rods when we switched to trolling. Had one rod that I sent back 4 times in a row and could not set into the rod holder before one was on. Only had a couple hours, more of a shakedown cruise checking to make sure everything I fixed was dry and such.