PANORA - Thousands of 4 to 5-inch yellow bass died at Lake Panorama over the weekend, caused by a virus common to the species when the population increases to certain levels. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) environmental services office from Atlantic investigated the fish kill Monday.

"We have seen this at Panorama in the past and periodically at other lakes around the state with high densities of yellow bass," said Marion Conover, chief of the Iowa DNR's fisheries bureau. "This is natures way of trying to keep the yellow bass population in balance."

Yellow bass and other fish species caught from Lake Panorama are safe to keep. As with all meat, poultry, game and fish, proper handling and cooking is necessary for food safety.