Hundreds of Carp Found Dead at McHenry County Preserve: Here's What Happened

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Hundreds of dead fish have washed up along the shore of a shallow pond at Glacial Park near Ringwood, sparking questions from visitors to the popular McHenry County forest preserve.

Officials with the McHenry County Conservation District say this is a common “winter kill” event, which occurs when ice-covered water and low oxygen levels cause carp to suffocate under the surface, according to Shaw Local. Because carp are large and require more oxygen, they are especially vulnerable, while deeper-dwelling native fish like bass and bluegill usually survive these conditions.

Although unsettling to see, conservation staff say events like this happen naturally after harsh winters and can even benefit the ecosystem by reducing non-native carp populations, according to the news report.

Read more at Shaw Local