Thousands of fish die in Pelican River in N Minn.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suspects low oxygen levels caused thousands of fish to die in the Pelican River over the past several days.
A DNR fisheries crew paddled the river by canoe Monday to assess the extent of the fish kill near Orr. Fisheries supervisor Kevin Peterson says it stretches about 2 miles, from the dam at St. Louis County Highway 23 downstream past Highway 53.
Peterson says the dead fish include northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegills, yellow perch, black crappies and bullheads.
He tells the Duluth News Tribune that low water levels last fall probably exacerbated reduced oxygen levels. Many streams and lakes were at low levels as winter arrived.
---
Information from: Duluth News Tribune
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.