A bizarre incident occurred in Saskatchewan when a fish fell from the sky and smashed a car windshield near Turtle Lake. Marie Ahlstrom, the driver, witnessed the unusual event on September 19, about 200 kilometers northwest of Saskatoon.
Despite being unharmed, Ahlstrom was surprised to find the distinct impression of fish scales on her windshield. Initially mistaking the impact for a rock, she realized the truth upon noticing blood. Upon reaching home, Ahlstrom and her husband assessed the damage, discovering remnants of the fish that had caused harm to not only the windshield but also the car’s side mirror.
When Ahlstrom attempted to file a wildlife collision claim with her insurance, there was some confusion regarding whether a falling fish qualified as wildlife. However, the issue was eventually resolved. While such incidents are rare, Ahlstrom mentioned hearing about similar occurrences in the Turtle Lake area, often attributed to birds like ospreys dropping fish they cannot carry.
Prairie naturalist Trevor Herriot suggested that the fish likely fell due to an eagle’s actions, as ospreys, known for such behavior, had mostly migrated south by that time. Another potential explanation, a water spout from the lake, was considered highly improbable given the weather conditions during the incident.
Despite the unexpected and humorous nature of the event, Ahlstrom reflected on the experience with a mix of surprise and amusement. Whether caused by wildlife, an act of nature, or something else, the incident left a lasting impression on her.