For the second consecutive winter, hundreds of fish were found dead along the shore of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa. About 270 dead freshwater drum fish were discovered along the shoreline between Lock and Dam 15 and Credit Island Park according to a report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
“The fish kill was determined to be from natural causes, either oxygen depletion, stress or disease,” the report said. “A similar fish kill of freshwater drum occurred at approximately the same time last year in the same area.”
When the ice melts, the fish that died float to the surface and are blown to shore. It can look much worse than it really is, though, as we reported in March 2014. If you have any doubts or concerns about a fish kill, it’s best to contact your local fisheries biologist or the DNR.
Related: Don’t freak out if you see dead fish