DNR: Infection likely killed fish in Albert Lea

A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official says dead fish found on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea likely died from a bacterial infection.

Area Fisheries Supervisor Hugh Valiant tells the Albert Lea Tribune that the fish probably died from an infection called columnaris, because all the right conditions were present.

Valiant says the bacterium is around all the time but manifests itself at this time of year when water temperature rises into the 70s and fish are spawning. Spawning makes fish more susceptible to infection.

Fish affected typically include blue gill, black crappie and black bullheads.

Albert Lea City Council member Larry Anderson, a member of the Fountain Lake Sportsmen's Club, says reports of dead fish first started coming in last Thursday. Anderson says he saw fewer dead fish Sunday.

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Information from: Albert Lea Tribune

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