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second edition • Nebraska Pond Management • 73 Reporting Fish Kills Contact the nearest Commission district office, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), 402-471-2186, or the 24-hour NDEQ/State Patrol pollution complaint hotline, 402-471-4545, regarding fish kills that may be due to toxic substances. Contact a district fisheries biologist or the Private Waters Specialist in Lincoln to discuss extensive fish kills and their consequences. Fish Parasites and Diseases A healthy fish can tolerate some parasites with little ill effects. Black spot and yellow grub are two common fish parasites found in ponds. Yellow grubs can be found beneath the skin of largemouth bass, bluegills, and other fish. Commonly found in bluegills, black spot are tiny flukes imbedded in the skin and flesh. Both of these parasites have no effects on humans, so infested fish are safe to eat. In addition, the parasites are killed when the fish are thoroughly cooked, hot smoked, or frozen. If grub infestation is low, the parasites can be removed from the flesh if family members are squeamish about eating them. If the flesh is heavily infested, it might be impossible to remove all the parasites; getting the cook to prepare it and the family to eat it may also be difficult. It is not practical to remove parasites from a pond. Pond owners must simply learn to live with them. Of the more than 1,000 species of North American freshwater fish parasites, only a few are known to infect man and those have not been found in Nebraska. The life cycles of black spot and yellow grub involve different developmental stages that require host organisms such as fish, birds, and snails (see diagram). One technique that might reduce the abundance of these grubs is stocking snail-eating redear sunfish. Pond fish are sometimes affected by a fungus (Saprolegnia spp.). This grayish, cotton-like growth is usually a secondary infection on fish that have experienced a disease or are stressed by some adverse environmental condition. Toxic Dead or dying fish Pesticides, petroleum products, Divert runoff coming Substances (smaller fish affected fertilizers, and other toxins from potentially toxic first), frogs, tadpoles, enter the pond directly or sources; install and insects. when heavy rains wash entrapment structures recently applied chemicals or buffer strips; if into the pond; extent of the pesticide application kill depends on the amount is necessary for and dilution rate of toxins crop production, upon entry to pond (problem apply carefully. may be confined to just entry site). Natural Causes Some dead fish Natural mortality caused by Nothing, let nature (usually larger and reduced disease resistance take its course. older fish) found brought on by winter and/or along the shoreline spawning stressors. in early or late spring. CAUSE of RECOMMENDED FISH KILL SYMPTOMS PROBLEM SOLUTION(S)