Dead Fish In Wake of Fishing Tournament

Major difference between catch and release for the good of the sport and catch, clip, hold and dump for prize money. -- Ed

Dead Fish

La Crosse
Jul 24, 2006

Just days after a major fishing tournament in La Crosse, hundreds of dead fish are turning up in the water. Nearly 600 dead bass have been collected. The Department of Natural Resources says almost all of them had a clipped tail fin which is evidence they were caught and released during the tournament. This is the second year there's been a major fish die-off after a tournament. Last year, most of the dead fish tested positive for largemouth bass virus. This virus can cause death when the fish is stressed. The DNR says the stress of being caught, held in a livewell, and released might be a factor in the deaths of the bass. Some anglers say they're concerned by the fish deaths, but they're not convinced the tournaments are the cause.