HARRIS BRAKE, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says bacteria is the likely cause of a fish kill in Perry County.
The commission said Friday that the microorganism columnari was found in the water at Harris Brake Lake, where about 300 white bass were found belly up on Tuesday. Biologists tested the water on Thursday.
No other fish species were affected.
While harmful to fish, the bacteria isn't harmful to humans.
The commission says the white bass were likely stressed from spawning, which degraded their immune systems, making them vulnerable to a bacterial infection. The lake water was warmer than usual during the spawn, which likely contributed to the stress.
Biologists have been checking the lake for more dead fish, but the incident appears to be over.
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