Hundreds of fish dead as a result of efforts to clean and restore lake – Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic

NEW CASTLE, Ind. (WISH) – Some people were shocked to see hundreds of dead carp floating in Shively Lake in Henry County Memorial Park.

Local resident Michael Guffey showed News 8 video of carcasses floating in the water and along the shores of the lake, which is located off State Road 3 northwest of the city of New Castle.

“I wasn’t here that long. But yes, it stank. You can smell it from the highway,” he said.

Casey Brumley, director of Henry County Memorial Park, says the fish kill was not an accident. She says the lake was drained to clean it and restore its eroding shoreline.

The park ranger says about 6,500 pounds of fish were moved. Bass, sunfish and catfish were saved, but carp were left behind.

Brumley said, “The main problem is that we have been overrun by carp, an invasive species in Indiana.”

She says some of the larger carp were moved to lakes where fishermen pay to catch them. Others died when water levels dropped and their bodies were later used as fertilizer or bait.

“We knew we were going to lose some. Unfortunately, that was part of the process.”

Cleanup and restoration of Shively Lake is expected to be completed by fall. Fish, with the exception of carp, will be reintroduced and the lake will be reopened to the public for fishing.

The lake is now almost free of dead fish. Although the process has left a foul smell in the air, Guffey says he looks forward to seeing the lake restored. “I have memories of being here as a child.”