What is that malodor?

Island Girl · 06-02-2007, 05:41 PM

The lake has had a fishy smell for the last couple of days... at first I thought a dead fish must have been trapped under my dock... but the same odor is in other parts of the lake...

Anyone know what that might be????

IG

wMw · 06-02-2007, 07:14 PM

I've been noticing that myself for the last few days, but I've no idea what it is.

gtxrider · 06-02-2007, 10:27 PM

John Gustafson and Max Goldman may have thrown a dead fish in the back seat

Someone once said it means the bass are around if the air has a fishy smell. I cannot prove or disprove the statement but perhaps the bass are in shallow on the beds this time of year and that is the scent.

kayakn · 06-03-2007, 06:11 AM

We noticed that smell last night during the thunderstorms...

ApS · 06-03-2007, 06:25 AM

Your question had me run down to the lake this morning (well, amble

) to check. Air and water are OK.

Nothing appears out of the ordinary in my area, which traps several square miles of poorly-circulated water.

Occasional rains have stirred the surface, and it's been warm, calm, and very humid. Maybe there's been a temporary blanket of stationary air over the water these past couple of days?

Dave R · 06-03-2007, 06:38 AM

Years ago, I used to troll for white perch (delicious) in Pawtuckaway Lake with my grandfather. We could always tell when we were about to catch some because of the strong fish odor we'd pass through when we were over the school. I'd guess it's schooling fish.

SIKSUKR · 06-04-2007, 12:40 PM

I launched my PWC at Glendale and didn't notice any smell.I also went for swims near Bear Island across from Shep Browns,across from Harrilla landing on Little Bear,and in the middle of the Broads and never had a hint of fishy water.Check your nose,maybe you wiped something on it!

On another note, last year I met a few people on their boat off Timber and immediately noticed an awfull musty smell when I boarded.I was wondering who on the boat smelled so bad.I left and and boarded another friends boat and thought it was strange that someone on that boat also had the same awfull smell.Well you guessed it,it was me!How embarrassing.My shorts smelled pretty musty after they got wet.So folks,check your pants before boarding.

Island Girl · 06-04-2007, 12:47 PM

It was mentioned to me by a guest... but I had already noticed the odor. We visited friends who had already noticed it... so this time... I did not need a shower... or other suggested issues!!

NHKathy · 06-04-2007, 02:59 PM

I smelled this too - Saturday in the early afternoon -

My husband was looking high and low for a dead fish or other animal somewhere - it was driving us crazy - glad to now we are not crazy. On the other hand, I don't know if I like knowing that people are smelling this in different spots throughout the Lake - what could it be??

waukewanderer · 06-04-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

The lake has had a fishy smell for the last couple of days... at first I thought a dead fish must have been trapped under my dock... but the same odor is in other parts of the lake...

Anyone know what that might be????

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

Argie's Wife · 06-04-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waukewanderer

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

I noticed the smell too...

And your explanation makes perfect sense - thank you!

Mee-n-Mac · 06-05-2007, 08:27 AM

I'm pretty sure it's Luca Brasi. Or all the blind dead fish from the Winni Derby. One or the other ... yeah ... I'm sure of that.

RattleRay · 06-05-2007, 08:35 AM

The fishy smell is down here in Mass too. My guess is it from the storm that went through with a lot of moisture being carried up the coast.

Grant · 06-05-2007, 08:36 AM

Turnover makes sense.

Luca Brasi. Good one.

I remember once, years ago, we had an incredible fish stench around our dock...couldn't pinpoint the source. Then, one day while bringing the canoe back in, I saw a huge dead sucker rotting away on a rock in the crib beneath the dock.

Other times, the contents of the bait trap have gotten a little out of control and required dumping. Nothing like a nice bass head and entrails stewing in 3-4 feet of sun-drenched water in August. Crawfish love it, though!

Mee-n-Mac · 06-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

I remember once, years ago, we had an incredible fish stench around our dock...couldn't pinpoint the source. Then, one day while bringing the canoe back in, I saw a huge dead sucker rotting away on a rock in the crib beneath the dock.

A few years ago a mink or fisher had taken up dining priviledges under our dock and on top of the rocks. The fish entrails made an unholy stench on hot days. For a while I thought it was the holding tank on the boat. Never did see him/her come home for dinner but it was only for the one year. FWIW I didn't notice any smell this year but I did see the pollen floating on and in the water. Worse last week than this but icky, icky, icky.

gtxrider · 06-05-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

A few years ago a mink or fisher had taken up dining priviledges under our dock and on top of the rocks. The fish entrails made an unholy stench on hot days. For a while I thought it was the holding tank on the boat. Never did see him/her come home for dinner but it was only for the one year. FWIW I didn't notice any smell this year but I did see the pollen floating on and in the water. Worse last week than this but icky, icky, icky.

"Ekki ekki ekki ekki pikang zoom-boing"

Onshore · 06-05-2007, 12:43 PM

So you are saying that the smell is from all the herring that people have been using to cut down trees???

Mee-n-Mac · 06-05-2007, 06:54 PM

I think he meant they no longer want a shubbery ... which is a good thing given the new shoreline protection act !

CarybchLvr · 06-12-2007, 07:05 PM

and think maybe this smell is too much "sex on the beach?"

Seriously, it makes perfect sense that the warmer water rises to the top and has the same effect as when it rains on hot pavement.......may have some similarites as ozone? You know how you smell the rain? Sometimes even before it comes?

It's part of the smell of spring, from what I can remember.

A summer place · 06-16-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waukewanderer

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

I'm not sure that we would still be experiencing any effects from turnover at this late stage of the spring.

Maybe it's the biological breakdown of the pollen?

http://waterontheweb.org/under/lakee...ification.html

ApS · 06-17-2007, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A summer place

"...Maybe it's the biological breakdown of the pollen...?"

Beat me to it.

Yesterday, I was at the warm, windless lakeside and noticed the fishy odor with pollen all around. Weekend boat wakes, missing during the week, helped to aerate the shoreline and enhance the odor.

The white perch theory must have more to do with the "pollen time of year" than "sniffing white perch out". (Nothing against theories, of course).

06-02-2007, 05:41 PM	#1
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	What is that malodor? The lake has had a fishy smell for the last couple of days... at first I thought a dead fish must have been trapped under my dock... but the same odor is in other parts of the lake... Anyone know what that might be???? IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

06-02-2007, 07:14 PM	#2
wMw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Weirs Beach & Jefferson, NH Posts: 63 Thanks: 17 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Sniff I've been noticing that myself for the last few days, but I've no idea what it is. __________________ wMw Sing...Dance...Love...Live deliberately!!!

06-02-2007, 10:27 PM	#3
gtxrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Grumpy Old Men? John Gustafson and Max Goldman may have thrown a dead fish in the back seat Someone once said it means the bass are around if the air has a fishy smell. I cannot prove or disprove the statement but perhaps the bass are in shallow on the beds this time of year and that is the scent.

06-03-2007, 06:25 AM	#5
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,938 Thanks: 2,205 Thanked 776 Times in 553 Posts	Your question had me run down to the lake this morning (well, amble ) to check. Air and water are OK. Nothing appears out of the ordinary in my area, which traps several square miles of poorly-circulated water. Occasional rains have stirred the surface, and it's been warm, calm, and very humid. Maybe there's been a temporary blanket of stationary air over the water these past couple of days? __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

06-04-2007, 12:40 PM	#7
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I launched my PWC at Glendale and didn't notice any smell.I also went for swims near Bear Island across from Shep Browns,across from Harrilla landing on Little Bear,and in the middle of the Broads and never had a hint of fishy water.Check your nose,maybe you wiped something on it! On another note, last year I met a few people on their boat off Timber and immediately noticed an awfull musty smell when I boarded.I was wondering who on the boat smelled so bad.I left and and boarded another friends boat and thought it was strange that someone on that boat also had the same awfull smell.Well you guessed it,it was me!How embarrassing.My shorts smelled pretty musty after they got wet.So folks,check your pants before boarding. __________________ SIKSUKR

06-03-2007, 06:11 AM	#4
kayakn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laconia Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We noticed that smell last night during the thunderstorms...

06-03-2007, 06:38 AM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Years ago, I used to troll for white perch (delicious) in Pawtuckaway Lake with my grandfather. We could always tell when we were about to catch some because of the strong fish odor we'd pass through when we were over the school. I'd guess it's schooling fish.

06-04-2007, 12:47 PM	#8
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	It wasn't me It was mentioned to me by a guest... but I had already noticed the odor. We visited friends who had already noticed it... so this time... I did not need a shower... or other suggested issues!! __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

06-04-2007, 02:59 PM	#9
NHKathy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moultonborough when I can / RI Posts: 699 Thanks: 180 Thanked 38 Times in 22 Posts	I smelled this too - Saturday in the early afternoon - My husband was looking high and low for a dead fish or other animal somewhere - it was driving us crazy - glad to now we are not crazy. On the other hand, I don't know if I like knowing that people are smelling this in different spots throughout the Lake - what could it be??

06-05-2007, 08:27 AM	#12
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	The Godfather says ... I'm pretty sure it's Luca Brasi. Or all the blind dead fish from the Winni Derby. One or the other ... yeah ... I'm sure of that. __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

06-05-2007, 08:35 AM	#13
RattleRay Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The fishy smell is not limited to Lake Winni The fishy smell is down here in Mass too. My guess is it from the storm that went through with a lot of moisture being carried up the coast.

06-05-2007, 08:36 AM	#14
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 375 Thanked 230 Times in 124 Posts	Turnover makes sense. Luca Brasi. Good one. I remember once, years ago, we had an incredible fish stench around our dock...couldn't pinpoint the source. Then, one day while bringing the canoe back in, I saw a huge dead sucker rotting away on a rock in the crib beneath the dock. Other times, the contents of the bait trap have gotten a little out of control and required dumping. Nothing like a nice bass head and entrails stewing in 3-4 feet of sun-drenched water in August. Crawfish love it, though! __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

06-05-2007, 12:43 PM	#17
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 502 Thanks: 12 Thanked 423 Times in 145 Posts	So you are saying that the smell is from all the herring that people have been using to cut down trees???

06-05-2007, 06:54 PM	#18
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	A red herring ? I think he meant they no longer want a shubbery ... which is a good thing given the new shoreline protection act ! __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

06-12-2007, 07:05 PM	#19
CarybchLvr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	been to the Naswa a few times and think maybe this smell is too much "sex on the beach?" Seriously, it makes perfect sense that the warmer water rises to the top and has the same effect as when it rains on hot pavement.......may have some similarites as ozone? You know how you smell the rain? Sometimes even before it comes? It's part of the smell of spring, from what I can remember.