Arctic Blast Raises Coastal Fish Kill Concerns

An arctic blast will enter Texas Thursday afternoon and chill the area to seriously cold levels through Christmas.

Concern is growing among coastal anglers over a freeze-related fish kill and as usual in the era of many weather forecasters, there are numerous projections.

The big issue is the temperature swing which will be as much as 40 degrees for the Upper Coast. Here are projections from the National Weather Service.

Temperatures (From National Weather Service)

Port Mansfield (Thursday High 70: Low 31) (Friday High 36: Low 33) (Saturday High 43: Low 377

Rockport (Thursday High: 66 Low: 25) (Friday High 37: Low: 26) (Saturday High 42: Low 31)

Sargent (Thursday High: 66 Low: 20) (Friday High: 34 Low: 22) (Saturday High 41: Low 26)

Galveston (Thursday High 62 Low: 24) (Friday High 34: Low 27) (Saturday High: 41: Low 33)

Port Arthur (Thursday High: 66 Low: 21) (Friday High 35: Low: 23) (Saturday High 41: Low 26)

Although at the time of this writing, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has not issues a statement, their counterparts in Louisiana have.

As an arctic blast is forecast to move across the state, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns the public of potential fish kills throughout coastal Louisiana due to freezing water temperatures.

If fish kills do occur, evidence of such could be delayed. Fish often sink to the bottom of water bodies and may not be visible for a week or more.

Coastal species commonly impacted by low water temperatures are Sand Seatrout (a.k.a. White Trout), Red Drum, Black Drum, and Spotted Seatrout.

“Typically, water temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a day cause problems for Spotted Seatrout, whereas Red Drum are slightly more tolerant and will begin to experience problems when temperatures dip into the mid-30s,” explained LDWF fisheries biologist Jason Adriance. “The rate at which the water cools is also important. If fish have a chance to acclimate and move, the potential for survival is higher.”

At the time of this writing (Wednesday evening) the temperature at the North Jetty in Galveston was 55.2 degrees. The temperature at Eagle Point in Galveston Bay was 53.6.

This front doesn’t look like it will reach as far south as the freeze of 2021, nor will it get down as low for long, but the again, the big swing in temperature is a concern not only for fish but sea turtles.

We will be in touch with biologists, fishing guides and anglers throughout the event and send out special reports if we hear of any fish kills.

We also will have a follow-up piece in next Tuesday’s newsletter to recap.

Chester Moore