The DNR would like your help in reporting fish die-offs in lakes and streams. Die-offs happen occasionally and usually result from natural causes. People should call the state duty officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 if they encounter several dead fish in a lake or a stream. Doing so provides a single point of contact for the incident. The state duty officer is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If there is an immediate threat to life or property, call 911 first.
In mid-spring and summer, groupings of dead fish usually are the result of a common bacterial infection referred to as columnaris. Columnaris tends to affect fish as water temperatures warm and fish are stressed from the energy they spent on spawning.
More details: DNR fish die-off page
Fish kills and die offs
As many as 500 fish die-offs can happen each year in Minnesota, most of them from natural causes. If you see one, report it. Early reports allow timely water samples and other investigative responses to be taken if needed.
Most fish diseases and infection issues found in nature tend to be concentrated in fish of a specific species and size range. In contrast, when a die-off includes fish of vastly different sizes and multiple species, human activity is a more likely cause.
To report a fish kill
Call the state duty officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish die-offs. The duty officer provides a single point of contact for the incident and is available 24 hours a day seven days a week. Try to describe the fish types and sizes affected by the kill.
Spring & summer
Groupings of dead fish usually are the result of a common bacterial infection referred to as columnaris. Columnaris tends to affect fish as water temperatures warm and fish are stressed from the energy they spent on spawning. Columnaris infections can kill sunfish, crappies and bullheads, and occasionally, largemouth bass and northern pike.
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