Massive Fish Kill On Lake Bordering South Dakota

When the ice began to thaw on Traverse Lake in mid-March people were shocked to see a massive fish kill which included walleye, drum, crappie, bluegill, and bass.

This Minnesota lake, which borders South Dakota in the glacial lakes region, shares a shore with another popular South Dakota destination - Big Stone Lake.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are investigating the kill and have take samples. The most likely culprit, according to Newsweek via the Minnesota DNR, appears to be "gas supersaturation trauma" also known as gas bubble disease, likely the result of an early algae bloom in the lake.

The upper Midwest has had one of the most mild winters in recent memory and the thin ice has allowed more sunlight than usual through to spur an algae growth which affects the water's oxygen level.

The DNR has estimated the number of dead fish number somewhere near 3,000.

10 Wild South Dakota Snowstorms

Even though snow is blanketing the Sioux Empire, some snowstorms still do not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlighted ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the road during the winter. South Dakotans are well aware of the fact that the state’s winters can be harsh which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Gallery Credit: KXRB