Parasite blamed for killing fish in Snake River

JACKSON, Wyo. — Biologists blame a parasite for killing dozens of fish in the Snake River and some of its tributaries in eastern Idaho. The dead fish are mountain whitefish. Idaho Fish and Game spokesman Gregg Losinski says the parasite so far hasn’t turned up in other fish species, such as cutthroat trout. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports the parasite is associated with warm water. Fishermen have been reporting unusual numbers of dead fish in the Henry’s Fork, South Fork of the Snake River, Teton River and main stem of the Snake River. This is the first time the parasite has turned up in wild waters in Idaho. Biologists plan to study the extent of the fish kill and ask fishermen to report any dead fish they see.