Cause of kokanee die-off in Okanagan Lake uncertain
KELOWNA – Provincial officials are puzzled by a die-off of kokanee salmon in Okanagan Lake.
More than 1,000 kokanee have been found washed up on the northern half of Okanagan Lake shorelines since May 25, according to a media release issued by the province today, May 31.
Samples from the die-off have been sent to the Provincial Animal Health Centre where they are being tested for disease. Results are expected within two weeks.
Officials say the die-off is not significant enough to pose a threat to the lake’s overall kokanee population.
Last year’s fish census counted more than 180,000 spawning kokanee, equivalent to the average return over the past 10 years.
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