[NY Angler]

I fished McKellips Lake today (Urban Lake in North Scottsdale, right before it turns into Tempe) and caught 3 (biggest about 2.6 lbs.) on a craw colored Rat L Trap. I did happen to see at least 100 dead tilapia bloated up and a detriorated whitish color, and a whole bunch of 99% dead ones that were in very rough shape....I could tell b/c I could touch my rod tip right onto their backs and they wouldn't even budge, pretty uncharacteristic of a fish that darts away when you fart...sorry, bad analogy. Does anyone know wahts up with this? I can only assume that the Parks and Rec. people may have put a chemical into the water to control the tilapia population...or maybe it was something else? Please let me know...

 

[tempepops]

I don't think Tilapia like the colder weather. Even though its not freezing they are a tropical fish. I have seen this (die -off) at Kiwanis Lake too.
Mike

 

[Trophy Hunter]

They are from a tropical place where it stays warmer. I think they have them in the Mexico Bass lakes, they can live year round there. The game and fish restocks them here in the spring, once it warms up.

 

[Guest]

Tilapia die off

I think they are originally from Africa. We certainly don't have them in the colder lakes up where I live (white mountains).

 

[jasonR]

the dead ones taste like chicken
kidding.