State biologists are investigating the death of hundreds of fish at Lake Thunderbird.According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, more than 500 white bass have washed up along or on the south shore of the lake, and a “die-off” of that magnitude has not been observed before.Both fishermen and biologists have noticed the problem.“We’re asking anyone who sees any evidence of the fish die-off at this lake or any other lake to contact our biologists,” said Don P. Brown, an ODWC spokesman.Brown told KOCO 5 it seems the die-off is due to natural causes – not pollution – as the fish spawn. Spawning occurs in the springtime when the fish swim upriver to lay their eggs.“By the time they get back in the lake they’re exhausted and so they’re more susceptible to changing conditions,” Brown said.Exhaustion also makes the fish more vulnerable to attacking bacteria or protozoans.State biologists believe the incident has run its course; however, they continue to investigate.Lake visitors who discover more dead – or dying – fish are asked to contact the Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory at 405-325-7288.

State biologists are investigating the death of hundreds of fish at Lake Thunderbird.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, more than 500 white bass have washed up along or on the south shore of the lake, and a “die-off” of that magnitude has not been observed before.


Both fishermen and biologists have noticed the problem.

“We’re asking anyone who sees any evidence of the fish die-off at this lake or any other lake to contact our biologists,” said Don P. Brown, an ODWC spokesman.

Brown told KOCO 5 it seems the die-off is due to natural causes – not pollution – as the fish spawn. Spawning occurs in the springtime when the fish swim upriver to lay their eggs.

“By the time they get back in the lake they’re exhausted and so they’re more susceptible to changing conditions,” Brown said.

Exhaustion also makes the fish more vulnerable to attacking bacteria or protozoans.

State biologists believe the incident has run its course; however, they continue to investigate.

Lake visitors who discover more dead – or dying – fish are asked to contact the Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory at 405-325-7288.