Have you ever wondered how fish survive in Ohio’s cold winter weather or where they go when water freezes over? Like many people, fish tend to be less active in the cold. As cold-blooded creatures, their metabolisms dive when temperatures drop.
The layer of ice that forms on top of a lake, pond, river, or stream provides some insulation that helps the waterbody retain its heat. Because warm water sinks in very cold fresh water, fish in these water bodies often gather in groups near the bottom. Some species may burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs and other amphibians. Most fish, however, simply school in the deepest pools and take a winter rest. They enter into a state of dormancy called “torpor” which usually lasts a few hours each day.
In this restful state, fishes’ hearts slow down, they need little food or oxygen, and they hardly move. Learn more about Ohio’s wonderful wildlife: http://ow.ly/QzTg30pZl6I