Fish kill occurs at Timber Point Lake

A substantial fish kill, affecting all species in the lake, has occurred at Timber Point Wildlife Management Area near Brainard in Butler County.

Angler reports prompted Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists on July 6 to visit the lake, where they observed numerous dead fish of all species. Dissolved oxygen was tested, confirming extremely low levels in the lake caused the kill.

“Unfortunately, many water bodies are susceptible to summertime fish kills given the right conditions,” said Aaron Blank, a Game and Parks fisheries assistant administrator.

Heat and sunshine in late June at Timber Point likely contributed to a large algal bloom that subsequently died off after rain in the area July 3 that was followed by cooler temperatures and cloud cover. The bacteria that consume organic matter such as algae, plants and fish, also consume oxygen. When the organic matter is excessive, such as after the die-off of a large algal bloom, it can lead to low-oxygen conditions that cause fish kills. Water levels at Timber Point are also significantly low, which likely exacerbated these conditions.

The WMA, including the 29-acre lake, is managed by the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.

Game and Parks fisheries staff will continue to evaluate the situation in the coming weeks to determine future management action for the fishery.