Pymatuning Lake fish kill still under investigation

LINESVILLE, Pennsylvania - Park officials at Pymatuning Lake are still investigating the cause of a massive fish kill this holiday weekend.

But that hasn't stopped some people from enjoying the park.  So far, on the Pennsylvania side they have the okay to swim.  Signs say Pymatuning Lake is open for swimming, but the beaches are not packed as usual after news broke two weeks ago about a lakewide fish kill.

More than 5,000 fish have died on the Pennsylvania and Ohio sides of Pymatuning.  A do-not-eat fish advisory is in effect for both sides and Ohio's beaches are still not open for swimming.

Pennsylvania Park Manager Pete Houghton said a lot of testing has been done on the water for quality. He said they have taken fish samples to federal and state laboratories as well as to Cornell University.

Houghton said the cause of the fish kill appears to be natural, considering that other lakes in Pennsylvania and West Virginia are experiencing the same thing.  He said that dramatic weather changes could be a contributing factor.  

At this point, many park goers plan to continue fishing at the lake.  They are putting their catch on ice until they are given the all-clear by officials.