Dead fish at Lakes Park Fort Myers spark concern among visitors

FORT MYERS, Fla.—Residents near Lakes Park in Fort Myers have noticed a troubling sight along the shoreline this week—dozens of dead fish scattered across the area. 

The smell has been a major concern for park visitors, who are eager to learn what caused the fish deaths and when they will be removed.

Lee County officials have been actively working to clear the dead fish from the water, but they say it will require ongoing efforts. Park visitors are avoiding the shoreline to avoid the unpleasant odor.

Mark Thompson from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation explained the cause of the fish deaths.

"The primary biomass in our lakes around here right now is cichlids and tilapia, and they're tropical fish, and whenever we have a cold snap, you'll see a lot of them dying off," said Thompson.

Southwest Florida has experienced a series of cold snaps and dry weather over the past few weeks, affecting local fish populations. Some visitors, like Claudia and Jacob Shimon, expressed mixed feelings about the cold weather.

"I felt like I was in New York. I grew up in New York, so we left there to come to this beautiful place. But then it gets too hot over here in the summertime. So you miss the cold a little bit," said Claudia.

Thompson clarified that the current fish kill is not due to low dissolved oxygen levels, which is often the case, but rather the low temperatures affecting tropical fish that have migrated to the area.

"Right now, a lot of times a fish kill will be associated with low dissolved oxygen, but this time of year, it's not. There's plenty of oxygen in the water; it would be associated with low temperatures," said Thompson.

Despite the situation, visitors continue to enjoy the park's scenic views and trails, hoping for a quick resolution to the fish removal. Claudia and Jacob shared their thoughts on the situation.

"It's nature. You know, fish die every day. People fish born every day. If you get too close to the shore, you smell the stench of the stench from the dead fish. So you just stay away from them. You know, hopefully they'll pick them up soon," said Jacob.

Lee County has yet to provide an approximate number of fish removed from the lake, but they are working on getting that information. Residents and visitors alike hope for a swift cleanup to restore the park's natural beauty.