Ice-out is good time for pond owners to check for winterkill

LINCOLN, Neb. – Private pond owners across Nebraska should check for fish that may have succumbed to winterkill now that those ponds should be devoid of ice.

Winterkills typically occur in small, shallow ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation.

“Snow and ice covering a pond prevent the water from exchanging oxygen with the air,” said Jeff Blaser, private waters specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Excessive snow and thick ice allows little sunlight penetration, so plants are not able to produce enough oxygen. If excessive snow cover persists, the plants die and subsequent decomposition, along with respiration by various aquatic organisms, can completely deplete the oxygen, resulting in a fish kill.”

Depending on the size of the pond, the presence of 40 or 50 dead fish would not indicate a large winterkill; however, thousands of dead fish of various species and sizes would be evidence of a major die-off event.

Blaser suggests owners check for fish – visually and by angling – this spring to help determine the status of the fish populations. The findings from these actions could indicate a pond is a candidate for restocking.

Pond owners can contact Blaser at 402-471-5435 for management suggestions if they had a major fish kill.