Source of Lindenhurst fish kill discovered

The mystery of what killed hundreds of fish on Lindenhurst's Lake Potomac may be solved.

Experts believe a naturally occurring "bacterial bloom" may have killed blue gills, crappies and large mouth bass last weekend on the 14-acre lake.

Residents living along the shore called village officials Friday and reported seeing dozens of dead fish.

"They thought it might have been caused by the application of an algae killer, but that's not the case," said Lindenhurst Lakes Commission Chairman Ken Funk. "This is a natural but unfortunate event."

After hearing the news about the kill, Funk said he contacted the Lake County Health Department Lakes Management unit and Hoffman Estates-based McCloud Aquatic Services. McCloud conducted an analysis over the weekend.

Lyle Erickson of McCloud believes the kill came from a natural and sudden proliferation of bacteria. Erickson said bacterial blooms happen quickly and have short duration. His report was presented at Monday's village board meeting.

Mike Adam, senior biologist for the Lake County Health Department, believes the evidence points in that direction too, but also said it's an educated guess.

"The evidence is inconclusive at this point," Adam said. "This is speculation. There is naturally occurring bacteria in the water all the time. The fish may have been stressed from spawning and more vulnerable to the presence of bacteria."

The smaller fish and bullfrog tadpoles in the lake were most effected, Funk said. Though hundreds were killed, officials say there isn't a need to restock the lake.