PHOENIX – Poor water quality caused by below-average precipitation is killing fish at two eastern Arizona lakes, authorities said.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department launched an investigation Friday after receiving reports about dead fish at Becker and Luna lakes in the White Mountains.
Officials are advising anglers against fishing at the two Apache County lakes. They suggested Big Lake, the Greer Lakes and the East Fork Black River as alternate spots.
Luna Lake is located just east of Alpine within Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near the Arizona-New Mexico border. Becker Lake is about 30 miles northwest of Luna Lake in the Springerville area.
What did investigation into dead fish find?
Unusually low rainfall in the last year created different issues with the water quality at each of the lakes where dead fish were found, officials said.
The problem at Luna Lake is a harmful algal bloom that reduced the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Humans and pets should stay away from the water and shore at lakes experiencing algae overgrowth, which can be toxic.
At Becker Lake, meanwhile, chronic high pH is putting stress on the fish population.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department investigation into the dead fish is ongoing.
