Wilde Lake's Dead Fish Mystery

From CA:

The Columbia Association (CA) is aware of the fish kill at Wilde Lake and the current estimate is approximately 400-500 dead fish. CA contacted the Maryland Department of the Environment fish kill response team and met with a representative at Wilde Lake on May 7. Water quality was assessed and did not indicate that there was an acute water quality problem. A fish sample was taken back to a MDE lab for analysis. The preliminary analysis indicates the sample fish had both a gill fluke and a fungal infection (Saprolegnia), both are commonly found in freshwater.

Likely stressors to the fish population that contributed to the fish kill at Wilde Lake this week are population stress (crowding), spawning stress and/or sudden temperature change.

CA will continue to remove the dead fish from the lake and monitor the lake for any changes. CA will keep the community informed of any new information as it arises. For more information on fish kills in Maryland please visit the MDE web site.