Dead Fish on Lake Camelot Information about Columnaris and fish die-offs from Columnaris provided by DNR Fish Biologist Jennifer Bergman. Columnaris is a common and widespread bacterial disease of freshwater fish caused by the bacteria Flavobacterium columnare, which can cause yellow-brown or white lesions on the skin, fins and gills of fish. Columnaris outbreaks are a normal occurrence, especially in late spring and early summer when the water is warming up. Outbreaks and the intensity of outbreaks varies from year to year depending on the timing and intensity of the spring warm-up. Fish species that we have seen die from Columnaris in Adams County waters include bluegills, pumpkinseeds, crappies, bass, catfish and bullheads. Die-offs are selective and don’t wipe out populations, these fish kills are typically not significant. The columnaris bacteria does not infect humans or other animals. Since all wild fish can harbor other bacteria and parasites harmful to humans, anglers are always encouraged to thoroughly cook their catch, never consume fish you find dead or dying, and follow the Center for Disease Control’s food safety guidelines. Lake Camelot, Lake Arrowhead, and Jordan Lake all had reported dead fish within the same week.  These dead fish were reported after the hot weather we had with a quick warm-up.  Bacteria bloom + aggregated fish stressed from spawning = Columnaris outbreak and fish kill. Looking at the past fish kills for Lake Camelot, a fish kill was reported on June 12, 2017 and May 31, 2018; both of those events were from Columnaris. Similar timing with this year’s reported dead bluegill.’ More information provided by DNR rep Scott Provost about the fish die-offs on Lake Camelot. The alum treatment occurred on Sherwood.  There’s no way that could have an impact on Camelot. Its doubtful if the alum treatment cause any mortality to fish in Sherwood or downstream Arrowhead.  The pH was monitored during application and there was only minor variation, which would not cause a pH shock to fish. Columnaris is a common bacteria in Wisconsin lakes, that can affect spawning sunfish, perch and bullheads. Speedy warm ups in water temp that coincides with spawning season, can create good conditions for Columnaris impacts.

Beach Club Recommendations Posted November 18. 2021 The Adams County Land & Water Conservation Department (LWCD) received a grant from the Wisconsin DNR to survey and create a shoreline protection plan for each beach club located on the Tri Lakes. These beach clubs make up 11% of all waterfront property/shorelines on the lakes. It is the hope of Adams County LWCD that property owners on the Tri Lakes will adopt conservation practices to protect the shoreline and the lakes. Conservation practices are used to protect upland vegetation and slow shoreline erosion to increase the strength and longevity of shorelines. A healthy shoreline that utilizes conservation practices helps increase the water quality and overall health of the lake. The grant received by Adams County LWCD only accounts for the planning of these projects, so there is currently no implementation funding available. However with the plans set, it is much more likely for a beach club to receive shoreline protection funding in the future. The beach club recommendations can be found on the Adams Co. LWCD website at https://www.co.adams.wi.us/departments/land-water-conservation/beach-club-recommendations . If you have any questions, or would like to know ways in which you can protect the shoreline of your beach club, please call the Adams County Land and Water Conservation Department at (608) 339-4268.