Fish Kill on Kampeska and Pelican Lakes

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department has received several reports of dead fish from lake shore home owners, anglers and boaters on Kampeska and Pelican Lakes near Watertown.

The fish kill is specific to common carp as no other species has been impacted. The kill is likely caused by warm water temperatures and carp spawning activities which in association have weakened their immune systems to the point that otherwise normal environmental conditions have become lethal.

“At this point GFP has not been able to determine a specific cause,” said GFP regional fisheries supervisor, Mark Ermer. “We do not anticipate this situation impacting any other fish species at this time and do not suspect any sort of lake-wide water quality issues associated with this fish kill. We will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses.”

The GFP has dug a pit for fish disposal on the Pelican Lake Game Production Area located on the southeast end of Pelican Lake at the western terminus of 20th Ave. SW. Lakeshore residents are welcome to utilize the pit for disposal of fish carcasses while this fish kill event is occurring.