Laguna Niguel Lake Fish Die Off; Officials Seek Answers

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Roughly 500 fish died in Laguna Niguel Lake likely due to changing water temperatures and lighter rainfall in the region, Orange County park officials said.

The fish were first reported early July, after residents reported seeing dead fish near the south end of Laguna Niguel Lake.

Around 500 fish were impacted, predominately bass and bluegill. To test the conditions of the lake, OC Parks officials ran tests on temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and salinity.

"While we cannot definitely say exactly what caused this to happen, as fish die offs can occur naturally from time to time, a combination of factors could have contributed to the situation," an OC Parks statement read. "Such as changing weather, increase in water temperature, a lower than average rainfall year, the presence of algae and potential equipment malfunction."

As of now, OC Parks officials said the likely cause for the die off was due to a change in weather and resulting increase in water temperature in the shallow areas of the lake.

"When this happens, there is less oxygen in the water, which is critical to fish survival," the statement said. "Catfish can tolerate the warmer, desert-like conditions present in Laguna Niguel Lake this time of year, but other fish are more affected, seemingly leading to this fish die off."

While changing weather is likely the factor behind the die off, OC Parks noted that all equipment at the lake has been thoroughly checked — and additional steps are being taken to monitor water temperature and oxygen levels within the lake.