Dead Turtles

[MemphisTiger]

Went fishing at a private farm lake here in TN this past weekend and counted 6 dead turtles (still saw a lot that were alive-- probably 15+). Is this normal for the spring turnover, or should I be concerned about some type of disease in my fishing hole? Also, on an unrelated note, anyone else think the turtle population has skyrocketed in the past 10 years? They are seemingly everywhere and in every lake that I fish. Meanwhile, I've noticed a huge decline in the water snake and water moccasin populations (not that I'm complaining). Just starting the think that turtles are maybe going the way of Canadian geese.

[try'n hard]

Not sure about turtles but flat head catfish have cleaned out almost every snake on our rivers here in nw Florida

[Olgrey]

Turtles will eat snakes also. When I was a teenager fishing for catfish with limb lines, I caught a large turtle. While cleaning the turtle I noticed it's stomach appeared to be full of something, cutting the stomach open revealed the remains of a large snake. I never mentioned it to anyone and we ate the turtle anyway.

[BoarBuster]

Well this has given me a new respect for turtles.