Dead fish at Enders likely due to algae bloom

    Fishermen and beachcombers at Enders Lake in the past week have noticed a string of dead fish along the shorelines.
    Beau Licking, superintendent at the state recreation area, said they are hoping some colder weather will help the situation.
    Licking said a “good number” of gizzard shad and some catfish are dead along the shores, which he started noticing about a week ago. About 95% of the deaths are to the gizzard shad, according to Licking.
    He talked with the fish biologist at the Game & Parks office in North Platte, who believes the deaths are due to algae bloom and possible low oxygen levels in the water.
    “I was told we need some cold water,” Licking said.
    “We just have to wait it out and hope for some colder weather,” he added, which appears to be in the forecasts.
    Under the right conditions, algae bloom may grow out of control, and a few of these blooms produce toxins that can kill fish, mammals and birds. Other algae are nontoxic, but eat up the oxygen in the water as they decay, clogging the gills of fish, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Most of the dead fish Licking has seen have been at Crappie Bay and Sunny Beach.
    The dead fish will clean up by themselves, he said, with wildlife taking care of those on the shore and other fish eating the dead species in the water.
    It shouldn’t affect fishing, he said.
    Licking said further questions can be directed to the fish biologist at the North Platte Game & Parks office, 308-535-8025.