Neighborhood lake full of dead fish

PRAIRIEVILLE, LA (WAFB) -

Hot weather is causing trouble for a Prairieville neighborhood. However, it's not just the heat causing trouble. People there are dealing with a lake, full of dead fish.

About 15 houses surround the lake in the Cypress Lake subdivision in Prairieville.

The residents like to fish and swim in the water, but a bunch of belly-up fish has put a stop to water fun for now.

Fish kills are pretty common in south Louisiana. Wildlife and Fisheries agents said high temperatures and shallow waters cause oxygen to evaporate from water, basically suffocating the fish.

The sight of a bunch of dead fish can be alarming though. One woman said she's lived on the lake for 12 years, and hasn't seen anything like this.

"LSU lakes, the city park lakes, and lakes like that. But I've never seen them in my backyard," explained JoAnn Johnson.

Johnson said she and her neighbors started seeing the dead fish over the weekend, and more and more have died each day. She said she called Wildlife and Fisheries, who told her not to worry.

Wildlife and fisheries agents say they do not have the resources to investigate private ponds and lakes.

If you see a fish kill on a public body of water, however, you should contact the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries immediately.