PALESTINE — According to Texas Parks and Wildlife District Tyler South Fisheries Manager Rick Ott, the fish in Lake Palestine have died because of a pathogen.
So far, authorities have not yet figured out what specific pathogen killed the fish.
TPW originally believed that spawning caused the fish stress that allowed the disease to take over. They also no longer believe the fish deaths have something to do with a change in the water's temperature.
Ott says that the dead fish are not safe to eat, but any live fish people catch with a rod and reel are safe to eat.