BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — State wildlife officials are working to figure out why black crappie have been dying in the Bailey Reservoir south of Havre.
The Billings Gazette reports that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks crews responded to a report of dead crappie on June 6. They found 25 fish dead along the bank of the reservoir.
Staff from the agency suspect that it is a species-specific die-off targeting only spawning-age crappie. Recent surveys indicate that younger crappies, yellow perch and northern pike in the reservoir are unaffected.
Fisheries biologist Cody Nagel says in a news release that black crappie nearing the peak of their spawn can experience increased vulnerability to parasites and other health-related issues.
A similar die-off of crappie took place in Tongue River Reservoir in 2014.