Dead Fish at Jacobson Park

[ThreeLions]

Hey guys,

I went to throw a line this morning over at Jacobson Park here in Lexington. My main aim was to try out some catfishing moves and practice casting with my new rod and reel. I wasn't really expecting too much out of the day (I was correct with that forecast too, by the way).

While I was at my fishing point I decided to stretch my legs and walked along a narrow causeway that links the park to the nearby golf course. I must have seen about thirty or so dead fish, all looked to be the same species. Some were still intact while some had been picked at and eaten by some thing or things. I do know that the lake was pretty solidly frozen until quite recently.

Here's four pics in a gallery: http://upload.pbase.com/leighite/fishin

Being new to the sport yet willing to learn anything and everything I have two questions: Can anyone identify the fish and what could have caused this effect?

DAVE

[Fntsyfbgod]

Gizzard shad and the cold probably did it. Shad kills are common in winter.

[ThreeLions]

I thought it may be shad when I saw the first few but a couple of these were almost 15 inches long, making me think twice. Thanks for the info.

DAVE

[elnutsmalljaws]

Gizzard shad

[Fishin is life]

Shad get fairly large....I actually caught one around 2lbs at a little local lake last year on a swimbait....go figure

[sglass]

The lake is FULL of them. Wait until they spawn and roll around the banks in the spring. That is why most of the panfish in the lake do not grow very big but the bass and cats can get large if you can find them.

Shawn

[Brandon__]

Little off topic but why hasnt LFUCG contacted KDFW about stockin the lake other than the tards that keep EVERYTHING thats remotely looks like it can be eaten

[SAUGERDADDY]

I see alot of potential in Jacobson Park, but somebody need to grow some nads and set some regulations and limits. They could probably make some decent money selling bait too. It would be nice if they could purchase the other side of the bridge and create one heck of a recreational venue. I hate having to always drive out of town to find water worth fishing.

[ThreeLions]

Little off topic but why hasnt LFUCG contacted KDFW about stockin the lake

Officially, LFUCG has only owned the lake and the park itself for about two weeks. Prior to that it was owned by Kentucky American Water (who also own the three reservoirs in town) and LFUCG simply maintained it for them.

DAVE