Miranda Richardson / news@whmi.com

The DNR is giving the community a heads-up during spring thaw season.

As water starts to warm up, the department says it’s natural for winter conditions to cause the death of some fish, along with turtles, frogs, toads, and crayfish.

Known as winterkill, the DNR says this is common during seasonal changes, especially in shallow lakes, ponds, streams, and canals.

A link to more information about fish kills is posted below, as well as a link to report fish kills. The department says these reports are valuable to the DNR’s management of aquatic resources in Michigan.

Meanwhile, if you suspect a fish kill is due to non-natural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan's Pollution Emergency Alert System at 800-292-4706.