Thousands of fish reported dead at Lake Maloney over Memorial Day Weekend

An estimated 1,000 to 3,000 fish were reported dead at Lake Maloney near North Platte on May 26, primarily white bass and wipers.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists suspect disease to be the cause of the die-off. Samples of the dead fish are being analyzed at a laboratory to identify any potential diseases carried by the fish.

According to a press release, the white bass were in spawning conditions, and high temperatures may have added stress to the fish, making them prone to disease.

While the cause of the die-off could not be confirmed, Southwest Division Nebraska Game and Parks Public Information Officer Julie Geiser said the fish kill appears to be over.

In addition, Geiser said the estimated loss of fish is relatively small when compared to other factors like fishing pressure and mortality.

“Whatever it was seems to be over with now because we haven’t noticed any more die off and it seems to be pretty much contained to just Lake Maloney,” she said.