DETROIT (AP) — Thousands of dead fish have led to a stinky mess in River Rouge.
WJBK-TV reports the gizzard shad were found along the shoreline of the community where the Rouge River flows into the Detroit River.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the fish likely died because of the lengthy, cold winter.
Other similar fish deaths have been reported in the Lake St. Clair area. The dead fish collect in canals and in near-shore areas. Landowners with large numbers of dead fish should consider burying or composting them.
Shad deaths are typical in the winter and officials say the dead fish likely were hidden under ice until the weather recently got warmer.