Due to the intense heat wave the province has faced this summer fishers are being encouraged to take caution in their water activities in various lakes in southern Alberta, but the situation isn’t as bad here.
However, anglers in central Alberta can rest easy and keep their rods at the ready as the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Department in Leduc has confirmed there are no issues in the area.
The warmer than usual waters are leaving fish stressed and lethargic and fishers are being warned to cut down on handling time and keep to keep them in the water as long as possible before releasing them.
According to the Alberta Environment and Parks website, summer kill, which is a normal occurrence in Alberta lakes, means warm weather can increase the effects.
Increasing temperatures also de-oxygenate the lakes, leading to an increase in fish deaths.
“High temperatures also cause algae to bloom and then suddenly die out. The decomposition of the algae by microscopic organisms further reduces the oxygen in the water,” states the provincial government link.
“The warm water also makes it possible for certain microorganisms to reproduce and subsequently cause diseases in fish. This can be a contributing factor for summer kill,” it continues.
For more information on summer kill visit http://aep.alberta.ca.