RYAN – The Iowa DNR is currently investigating a fish kill on Buck Creek in Delaware County.
An angler reported to the DNR on Monday seeing dead fish while fishing over the weekend. Upon investigation Monday, DNR environmental services and fisheries staff found both dead and live fish in the stream.
The kill affected mostly minnows, shiners and chubs, but also suckers, rock bass and sunfish. The DNR estimates there could be thousands of dead fish.
The fish kill is spread over about 8 miles of stream, beginning just downstream of Ryan to just past County Road X31. Buck Creek is a tributary of the Maquoketa River, although no dead fish were found along the lower stretch that meets with the river.
No source of the kill has yet been identified, but it appears the fish died around the middle of last week. The DNR will continue to investigate and will consider possible enforcement action.