Winterkill yes or no

[diamond k]

With the lack of snow this year and the ice thickness being slower to form this year. Would it be safe to assume we should see less winterkill this year?

[Brandonkop]

Originally Posted by diamond k

With the lack of snow this year and the ice thickness being slower to form this year. Would it be safe to assume we should see less winterkill this year?

I wouldn't ever assume anything like that. Are you trying to use that information for trout stocked lakes? Usually once the ice is capped the O2 level will start to drop. The thickness and snow-cover not as important. Although there is some possibility that photosynthesis can still occur if ice is clear with good light penetration. So the weeds take longer to die off. The decomposition of plant matter/ organic material in nutrient rich lakes is really what kills the O2 levels. So while freeze up may have been a little later than average who knows how long it will be. Dissolved oxygen levels are not predictable, thats why they monitor them on some susceptible lakes. Everything can look great right to the last month, then boom kills. So safe to say not something you can assume.

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[Smoky buck]

Low water levels increase the risk of winter kill. Lack snow/rain last year created low water levels in many bodies of water and it looks like 2024 might be worse

Overall we need moisture or odds of both winter and summer kill will increase for 2024

[tallieho]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Low water levels increase the risk of winter kill. Lack snow/rain last year created low water levels in many bodies of water and it looks like 2024 might be worse

Overall we need moisture or odds of both winter and summer kill will increase for 2024

X2 I also think that co2 has a lot to do with it.So ice guys punch lotsa holes..

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by tallieho

X2 I also think that co2 has a lot to do with it.So ice guys punch lotsa holes..

CO2 is definitely an issue and everything Brandon posted is correct too. That thick pea soup algae some lakes get increase the risk. Overall lower water levels often increase the % of organics that decompose over winter too

Holes punched by ice fishermen is not going to help though. Water levels and water quality need improvement is the real thing needed.

[Big Sky]

Lots of southern reservoirs headed into winter with extremely low water levels. Less water will mean less oxygen which could result in increased winter kills.

If the ice thickness remains below average, it may be a blessing. With less ice to melt, open water could come early. An early iceout and some good winds would be a saviour for fish stocks.