Effect of Weed Killer on Bass?

[Bergen Angler]

A couple of days ago, United Water sprayed the weed killer on the Oradell Reservoir. Right before they did, I was catching 3-4 lb LM in weed area. Now, they are all gone or at least I couldn't find any bass.

Questions:
1. Where do bass go after weed killer spray? deeper water?
2. Someone told me that weed killer creates the effect of lamprey on bass. Is this true?

Thanks.

[buzzbaiter]

I'd give it more than a few days before deciding something is wrong. Give it a few weeks. Its a drinking water reservoir so whatever they use has to be safe for human consumption and I assume safe for fish as well.

[Mark B.]

Water supply reservoirs treat for algae. The algae dies, sinks to the bottom & is decomposed by microbes.

As oxygen is consumed during the decomposition process, only a portion of the reservoir is treated @ a time. The fish sense the declining oxygen levels & swim to oxygen rich untreated section.

[ScowardNJ]

The UW guys treat with copper sulfate. Tons of info on the web about the stuff.

[briansnat]

Last year they dumped weed killer in my local lake, West Fayson, smack in the middle of the worst heat wave of the summer. Within days there were dozens of dead bass floating by the outlet. Judging by how awful the bass fishing has been since, I suspect those floating fish were just the tip of the iceberg. I've caught maybe 10 bass all year so far. In previous years 10 was an average day this time of year.