2 years ago
CLEAR LAKE, CA - They have been dying for weeks. Thousands of carp, many between 8 and 15 pounds, that have been washing up along the shores of Clear Lake.
"It smells and it's horrible and we can't even go boating anymore because you can't even enjoy it. You can't even jump in the water," said Tawney Christopher of Kelseyville along the southern end of the lake.
Lake County has put in three disposal sites for the fish carcasses, including two trenches in county parks.
Experts believe a virus or bacteria may be responsible for the die-off.
"They're bottom feeders and they get close to each other when they are feeding and so if it was a bacteria or a viral-type disease, they transmit it from one to the other," said outdoor writer Terry Knight, who has been covering the story for a local paper.
An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 fish have died, but whatever is killing them is not believed to be any threat to human health. "Many of these diseases that affect wildlife do not cross over to humans," said Lake County Medical Officer Karen Tait.
The effect on local tourism has been another matter. "A lot of the people that aren't used to the smell don't want to be near it," said local resident Terry Clark, who said tourism has been down.
Knight said he believes the fish-kill is nearly over. "I was out on the lake yesterday and it looks to me like the die-off has about run it's course," Knight said.
Some believe the die-off may be nature's way of taking care of business. "This could very well be nature's way of balancing the biomass and the lake's to keep the young that are coming on, supported, so that they can make it through the wintertime," said Clear Lake Land Coordinator Skip Simkins.
Regardless, locals are urging bass fishermen and boaters not to stay away. "They can come on up," said Knight.
News10/KXTV
