Debunked: Video of Lightning Strike at Fishing Spot Is Not Authentic -- AI Generates Unbelievable Response

A video circulating online claims to show lightning striking a fishing lake, causing a towering spout of water and sending numerous fish into the air. However, this footage is not genuine. The clip originated from a TikTok account known for sharing AI-generated content without any disclaimers.

The account, @helpsizis, has published multiple videos featuring improbable wildlife scenarios, including at least four posts depicting fishing scenes with dramatic lightning strikes and airborne fish. The specific video in question was posted on November 23, 2025, with the caption: "Lightning Strikes the Lake and All the Fish Jump Out #fyp #tiktok #foryou #foryoupage #viral".

In the video, a lightning bolt appears to hit the water, producing a large water spout, followed by fish leaping out in the direction of the unmoved anglers. This sequence is entirely computer-generated, as confirmed by the account's history of AI-created animal videos featuring lions, tigers, bears, sharks, hamsters, penguins, wolves, and octopuses.

Additional videos from the same account show variations of the same scene: in one, a man throws a cartoon-style explosive into the lake instead of lightning; in another, a glowing blue sphere descends slowly from the sky; and in a third, a fisherman filming his friends nearly experiences a lightning strike, drops his phone, but reacts nonchalantly.

The National Weather Service provides guidance on lightning safety and aquatic environments. They explain that while water bodies are often struck by lightning, most fish survive because electrical discharge is concentrated at the surface, whereas fish swim deeper. The exact depth affected by lightning is uncertain, making swimming or boating during thunderstorms extremely hazardous.

Author: Sophia Brooks