GUN PLAIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Heavy rains that caused a pond to overflow left hundreds of catfish stranded in yards in southwestern Michigan.

Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, tells the Kalamazoo Gazette that the DNR has neither the resources nor the responsibility of removing fish stranded by an act of nature.

He says dealing with the fish is the responsibility of local officials and residents. He likened the problem to fish kills every spring from harsh winters. He says each landowner can deal with the problem — disposing of dead fish or returning live ones to their home.

The overflow happened this week in Allegan County’s Gun Plain Township. As of Thursday afternoon, a few dead fish were scattered where hundreds flopped about the day before.