VHS at bay for now

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) has not spread in Wisconsin.

The fish-killing virus was first spotted in the state, in the Winnebago Lake system two years ago. Last year it was found around Door County in Lake Michigan. This year, tests didn’t find any VHS in Lake Winnebago but did find the fish disease in smallmouth bass in Green Bay.

But Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Management Director Mike Staggs says it hasn’t migrated to Lake Superior. He says that’s a little surprising because of a direct connection to Lake Michigan.

The finding is good news for Lake Superior communities like Bayfield. Its mayor, Larry McDonald, knows VHS has staggered fish populations in Lakes Huron, Erie, Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He says commercial and sport fishing are extremely important in Lake Superior.

Meanwhile, Staggs says so far fisheries in northern Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago have not been corrupted by VHS but he says the infestation is still early.

Tags: fish killing, news, wisconsin, fish