What is causing the foul odor in Lake Eustis from dead fish washing ashore?

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – People living on Lake Eustis are asking questions after fish started dying and washing up along their shorelines.

After News 6 received a tip from a viewer regarding the dead fish, they decided to visit Eustis to talk to residents living near the lake. The individuals interviewed expressed that they had never witnessed such an occurrence before.

One of the residents, named Amber, resides by Lake Eustis. Despite observing dead fish near her family’s dock for the past few days, she still finds the situation quite startling.

“They’re just piling up,” Amber said.

Amber said she first noticed something was off when she went fishing on Friday.

Amber shared her experience, stating, “While I was fishing, I noticed several dead fish floating in the water, and initially, I thought maybe someone had accidentally dropped their bait in the lake. However, after receiving no bites, I realized something was amiss. The following day when I returned to fish, all the fish were found dead.”

Amber said that over the last couple of days, the number of fish washing up has increased.

“I started noticing the fish washing up on the shoreline on Saturday,” Amber said. “Saturday morning when I came out here, I could smell that smell. And I was like, ‘Huh, what’s that smell?’ So I came out here, and I was like, ‘Wow, look at all these fish. They’re all washed up, there’s flies around them and everything. It smells really bad.’”

Amber as well as other neighbors said they’ve spoken with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about the dead fish. But for now, they wait for answers.

“FWC answered my phone call, and then they told me that they collected some samples of the water and then some samples of the fish and to get them tested, and they didn’t have a word yet on what’s going on,” Amber said.

News 6 reached out to the Florida Department of Health, but they are closed for the New Year’s holiday.

In addition, News 6 has reached out to the FWC, the city of Eustis, and Lake County for any additional details, and will report them as soon as they become available.