10/21/2026
A few weeks ago, concerned visitors reported seeing hundreds of dead fish washed up along the lake shore near the Peninsula Trail. Upon further investigation, park staff determined that nearly all the fish belonged to a single species: Threadfin Shad (Dorosoma petenense). If you are an avid sport fisherman, you are probably familiar with Shad; they are a favorite prey species of Largemouth Bass, White Perch, and Black Crappie.
These small but important fish are very sensitive to changes in their environment, and especially to rapid changes in temperature. When temperatures drop quickly over a short period of time (as has happened recently), it is not uncommon to see a large die-off in the local Shad population. Luckily, Threadfin Shad can bounce back quickly, and occasional die-offs usually do not cause serious issues long-term. And, while not ideal for the Shad, die-offs like this can provide a feast for other wildlife, such as raccoons, herons, gulls, and opossums. Our resident Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) were also more than happy to offer their skills as a clean-up crew, helping to clear the lake shore of fish in no time!
Photo Credit: Michael Fogleman
