A portion of the Lake Ontario shoreline in Irondequoit was covered in hundreds of dead fish, prompting concern from some who live near the shore.

Environmental officials said the kill is likely the result of a yearly natural occurrence. Still, neighbors said it is more than just a little annoying.

“Smelly,” said longtime shoreline resident Georgia Smith. “The dogs roll in it. That's what's fun.”

The phones at the state Department of Environmental Conservation often light up this time of year with calls for major fish kills. The Lake Ontario die-off is likely caused by a combination of spawning stress and the inability to cope with a rapid change in temperature.

“It takes a lot out of them,” said Webster Pearsall, DEC regional fish manager. “They're fighting for mates. They're fighting for property to build next, and it takes a lot out of the fish.”

A similar situation happened recently on Lake Erie; in that case, it was thousands of smelt. The DEC said they died from natural causes.