Walleye Loss at Lake Cumberland

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
fw.ky.gov
Walleye Loss at Lake Cumberland Due to Poor Dissolved Oxygen
Press Release
September 24, 2004 Contact: Lee McClellan
800-858-1549


Frankfort, KY (September 24, 2004) - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) recently received reports of several large walleye floating dead on the lower main lake of Lake Cumberland and in the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam.

“The suspected cause is low dissolved oxygen amounts at depths where walleye reside due to their preferred temperatures,” said Benjy Kinman, Director of Fisheries for the KDFWR. “The heavy rain events created a mixing of water in the mid-level section of the water column that contains the cooler water habitat preferred by walleye. This mixing ultimately reduces the dissolved oxygen content in this zone.”

From September 17 through September 21, Lake Cumberland rose 13 feet from Hurricane Ivan’s rains.

“Also, high rainfall events in 2004 created higher than normal discharges from the lake ,” Kinman explained. “These discharges release the colder water in the lake. Lake Cumberland generally contains a significant deep zone of colder water containing sufficient oxygen necessary to support fish. Walleye are presently the key species impacted by this oxygen squeeze caused from the mixing of waters entering the lake and the high discharge of the colder water out of the lake.”

Fisheries biologist reported dead walleye up to 30-inches long. Some fish may continue to die for a few more weeks until water conditions stabilize. “A similar incident occurred at Carr Creek Lake in Knott county back in August,” said Gerry Buynak, Assistant Director of Fisheries for the KDFWR. “ Similarly, high rainfall amounts resulted in high discharges from the lake and removed all of cool water habitat necessary for walleye. About 100 large walleye died from this incident.”

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[Boatnut]

Maxwell,
thanks for the info. I saw a similar report on another Kentucky board. Also a friend of mine that has a place on Cumberland saw quite a few "floaters". It's a shame.

[Toolman]

Quote< "About 100 large walleye died from this incident">

If that statement is true-I wonder if they really consider this a major event for the fishery?!

That"s a beautiful Lake,Hope they are going to put back what they lost