Scuttlebutt Magazine - May 2008 - (Page 30) Page 30 • May 2008 www.scuttlebutt.com DNR officials on alert for fish disease heading toward Minnesota State officials are concerned about another killer fish disease. It’s caused large fish kills in Wisconsin and Michigan and the eastern Great Lakes. Authorities say it’s only a matter of time, but they’re hoping that letting people know about the disease will make it later rather than sooner. The condition is viral hemorrhagic septicemia, an extremely serious viral disease of fresh and saltwater fish. At a low level of infection, fish might not display any symptoms. As the infection becomes greater, however, fish will display widespread hemorrhages (bleeding) throughout the body surface (eye, skin and fins) and within the internal organs (swim bladder, intestine, kidney etc). Because of the bleeding, gills and liver might appear pale. Sick fish will often be listless, swim in circles, and are frequently observed at the surface of the water. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that confirming VHS infection requires sophisticated laboratory testing. A diagnosis cannot be made based solely on observation because many different diseases of fish have very similar symptoms. Fish species affected To date, VHS has caused large-scale mortality in black crappie and bluegill in Budd Lake (Michigan); common carp and freshwater drum in Lake Ontario; freshwater drum Lake Erie and Lake Winnebago (New York); gizzard shad in Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Lake Erie; Great Lakes muskellunge in Lake St. Clair; round gobie in Lake Ontario; white bass in Lake Erie and yellow perch in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. The disease has also been confirmed in smaller fish kills in black crappie; bluegill; lake whitefish; rock bass; smallmouth bass and walleye Species known to carry VHS virus include burbot; channel catfish; Chinook salmon; emerald shiner; lake trout; northern pike; rainbow trout – steelhead; rock bass; shorthead redhorse; silver redhorse; spottail shiner; trout perch and white sucker. The disease has not killed any of these species to date. The disease spreads between waters by 1. Moving infected fish from one body of water to another. This includes live gamefish caught in an infected water and live baitfish caught or used in an infected water and transported and used in another. 2. Moving infected water and equipment from one waterbody to another. Examples would be the discharge of infected water and fish from ships, discharge of infected water from live wells on fishing boats, and discharge of infected bilge water from recreational and fishing boats. 3. Stocking or releasing infected fish or water from infected fish hatcheries. 4. The natural migration and movement of infected fish from one waterbody to another. The disease has been found in Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, lake Michigan, and the St. lawrence River in New York. The virus has also been detected in several inland lakes including Budd Lake in Michigan and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is actively monitoring and testing for the VHS virus. So far the virus has not been detected within the state or in Lake Superior. If you would like to find out the most recent VHS infected sites call the DNR Pathology Lab at 651-259-5096. The virus does not have any impact on humans, through direct contact or via fish consumption. To prevent the spread of the disease, do not move live fish between waterbodies. Dispose of unwanted baitfish and fish parts in the trash. Do not move any water between waterbodies. Drain water from boat, motor, bilge, livewells and bait containers before leaving the water access. Spray and dry boat, trailer, and recreational equipment, especially after leaving known VHS infected waters. Power-wash boat hulls and gear with hot water (preferably 140ºF) or rinse then dry the boat and gear completely for 12 hours. If you catch a suspected diseased fish: • Place the fish in a clean plastic bag and keep it in an iced cooler or refrigerator as quickly as possible (do not freeze). • Call the local DNR fisheries office or the DNR Pathology Lab at 651-259-5096 right away for instructions. • Do not risk spreading the VHS virus by bringing potentially diseased fish to DNR offices or hatcheries. If you observe a fish kill • Call the State Duty Office (651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798) to report the waterbody, date, fish species, and number of dead or dying fish. • Don’t collect fish samples from a fish kill. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us /index.html, click on fishing, then on fish diseases. – From Minnesota DNR web site 192 Interceptor Bowrider 237 Bowrider In designing the next generation family boat, Caravelle Powerboats built our 2008 boats around your needs as an avid boater. The result is a blend of quality, styling and performance that takes these new models to a level well above its contemporaries. 217 Bowrider 196 Fish & Ski http://www.scuttlebutt.com http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html http://www.ericksonmarine.com
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