Hot weather blamed for fish kill in Glace Bay

The summer heat is killing the fish in a popular lake in Glace Bay.

The man-made lake, known locally as Dam 20,is stocked by the province for recreational fishing.

When people living nearby noticed dead fish washing up on shore recently, the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture was called in to investigate.

David Sinclair, with the department, said the hot weather is to blame.

"The water temperature rises dramatically, and what happens in that case is the oxygen in the water body itself is depleted," he said. "What we suspect has happened is these fish have died of oxygen deprivation."

Most of the dead fish appear to be speckled trout.

Eric MacIntosh has spotted as many as 10 dying or dead fish in the past week.

"I'm very concerned over this," he said. "I have grandchildren that fish here and I fish here myself."

MacIntosh wonders if the trout are diseased and says the department may have to take samples if the problem continues.