Comment on Hundreds of fish in Vancouver Lake dead

Hundreds of juvenile fish died simultaneously in Vancouver Lake near the beginning of the month, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s not clear how many fish died in the event, but WDFW district fish biologist Matt Gardener said between 200 and 1,000 small juvenile shad are presumed dead. Shad, a nonnative species that inhabits the Columbia River, were the only species believed to have died. Gardener said a few of the fish are being studied for clues as to what happened, but the most likely cause is that the fish asphyxiated in low-oxygen water.