It is unlikely Illinois fishermen can pronounce it or spell it, but a deadly fish virus that has caused die-offs in other states may interrupt fishing pleasure on Lake Michigan and other bodies of water without warning.
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is the scourge that has invaded Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and other waters, infecting everything from muskie to smallmouth bass to burbot, rock bass, pumpkinseed and minnows.
More Top Picks Best Swivel Recliners For Living Rooms
Neither Lake Michigan nor any Illinois waters have been infested with the incurable virus, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries chief Mike Conlin. But in a gloomy evaluation, Conlin said there is every reason to believe the state will not escape the impact of the virus.
“I think it’s inevitable we’re going to have big fish die-offs,” Conlin said. “Not yet. The implications are serious. There is no known cure for it.”
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, also called VHS, is somewhat common in Europe and Japan. It causes internal bleeding in fish and often natural resources officials do not realize a population has been infected until the fish die and pile up along shores, as occurred in Lake Erie. There has been no evidence linking the virulent fish virus to health problems in people.
Fish die-offs in Michigan and Wisconsin have brought the virus closer to home and Conlin said IDNR specialists have been studying the issue in conjunction with counterparts in other states.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, the virus previously was thought to be of major danger primarily to trout, but spring die-offs in the United States hint at a new, tougher-to-contain strain of the disease. Walleye, muskie, northern pike, freshwater drum and even the round goby, the tiny invasive species in Lake Michigan, are considered to be at risk if infected. Although it is unknown how the virus entered the Great Lakes, the organization says that the highest death rate occurs in water temperatures between 37 and 54 degrees.
Wisconsin officials approved emergency rules this spring aimed at controlling the virus. Chief among the regulations for Illinois anglers traveling north was a ban on crossing the border with live bait. It is hoped that keeping live bait such as minnows and fish from other bodies of water at their home lakes will cut down on the virus’ spread. Even after the ban took effect, though, Wisconsin reported a fish kill in Lake Winnebago.
Taking a similar approach, Michigan officials placed a yearlong moratorium on the stocking of muskie, walleye and northern pike in the state’s waters. Federal laws already monitor or restrict the transfer of live fish or fish eggs between Great Lakes states.
In case of an emergency infestation of the virus, Illinois is developing regulations that would ban the importation of live bait from other states, Conlin said.
“We’re looking really hard at anyone who wants to bring bait in,” he said. “Some people are now [doing so] commercially. There will be guidelines [for] moving fish from one body of water to another that will look at bilge water and live wells. It’s inevitable we’re going to get it.”
The virus causes a horrible death in many fish affected. Although some fish show no external harm others have been found dead with bulging eyes, bloated abdomens and hemorrhaging in the eyes, skin, gills and/or fins. Besides the unknown cause, what has perplexed the scientific community, Conlin said, is there has been no second die-off in areas where fish were afflicted.
“None have had a second one,” Conlin said. “We hope the ones who have survived developed antibodies.” “
As yet unaffected, Illinois IDNR officials worry about the virus attacking the species in Lake Michigan that are part of a multimillion-dollar sport fishing industry.
“It’s a nasty disease,” Conlin said. “Once it’s out there, no matter what we do we have to try to minimize it. I wish it would be selective for goby.”
A little gallows humor there.
————