Dead panfish

[JustinJ]

While fishing a local pond today I noticed about 6 dead panfish, mainly bluegill in about 3 different spots on the pond. Always a bit concerning seeing dead fish. The last two times I've been to this lake the fishing has been very poor. (Caught a couple bass the last two times here) I've seen a lot of empty beds today and last week I was here the bluegill were actively on beds. I know it's normal to see a dead fish now and then then but I am concerned about the fishing in this pond. Should i be concerned or is it normal to see dead bluegill post spawn? My first thought was maybe the cormarant birds killed these fish or possibly bass but worried something is up with this place

[OCdockskipper]

The spawning process for bass & bluegill puts tremendous stress on the male of the species, and some of them don't make it.  It is not unusual for a few of the males to exhaust themselves & succumb.

 

By chance, could you tell if the dead panfish were males (i.e., brightly colored compared to the more plain colored females)

[JustinJ]

The one bluegill I saw had a real bright orange underside

[HeavyDluxe]

It could just be that someone else was there with a kid who kept gut-hooking panfish with a worm and bobber. It could be post-spawn stress.

 

Whatever it is, I don't think it's something to worry about unless the numbers climb.

[Montanaro]

Exhaustion and/or injuries from bed guarding

[sully420]

Some times lakes have fish kills. This happens for many reasons. Bass fishing seems to slow down when this happens it will pick back up in a week or so no big deal. Ponds and lakes can only support so many fish and nature balances it out

[NCbassraider]

Not sure where you live but the blue gill should not have had a spawn yet.  It's a little early here in NC.  I typically see a spawn in mid June on my property so it's probably not spawn related and 6 dead on a pond would be a lot to be related to spawning. 

 

When you see a small fish kill that is species specific it is typically a virus and is actually a good thing.  It will kill the weak and make the rest of the species stronger.  If you were seeing several different species floating then you are dealing with something like a contaminant or a lack of oxygen.

 

What you are most likely looking at is Darwinism.  

[Montanaro]

They are spawning in WV

[the reel ess]

Spawn stress. A lot of fish survive to the spawn for only one reason-to fulfill the biological imperative. Once that's accomplished they can move on to that great pond in the sky.

[frosty]

I saw one circling the proverbial drain a few days ago. I waded out about 25' to cast to deeper water and noticed a decent sized bluegill doing circles, listing, and darting. He was extremely dark, the copper on his chest was extremely dark. I'd like to assume it's just age related but he seemed pretty stressed, and swimming slow enough that I caught him by hand. 

[Bluebasser86]

In a pond you could be having low oxygen levels, combine that with spawning stress and you'll lose some fish. 

 

Fish die though, as long as it's just small numbers, I wouldn't get too concerned.