By AP
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – State officials are reporting an extensive fish kill in the Black River in Michigan's Thumb area.
Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Mary Detloff said Wednesday the die-off covers a 12-mile stretch of the river in Sanilac and St. Clair counties.
Spokesman Robert McCann of the Department of Environmental Quality says it appears all fish in the affected area were wiped out.
Biologists are trying to determine how many have died. Among the species are smallmouth and rock bass, catfish and northern pike as well as smaller fish.
The DEQ is investigating the cause. McCann says manure recently was discharged from a farm field into the river, but it's uncertain whether there's a connection.