LAKE COUNTY >> The cause of the two fish kills that occurred on Clear Lake at the end of September in the vicinity of Bayless Cove and Clearlake Park remain a mystery.
The kills were discovered by a resident of Bayless Cove and person driving along the shoreline near the post office at Clearlake Park and consisted of several hundred fish of all species. The dead fish included bass, bluegill, catfish and carp.
Water samples taken at the kills sites showed a dissolved oxygen level of more than 7 (a reading of 5 is sufficient for most warm water fish) and laboratory analysis showed no petroleum residue. Testing initiated locally did not extend beyond petroleum. Biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) also investigated the fish death but failed to come up with a cause.
There have been no further fish deaths reported on the lake. Anyone witnessing a fish die-off is encouraged to report it to the Lake County Water Resources Department at (707) 263-2213.
