Virus Poses Potential Threat to Idaho Fish

Illegal bait may be one of the likely ways that viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus could be introduced into Idaho's wild and cultured fish populations. The viral fish disease already has caused massive fish die-offs in Europe, along the Atlantic Coast, and in the Great Lakes region. Trout and salmon are among the many fish known to be vulnerable to the virus. In 2006, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game prohibited any importation of live fish from the Great Lakes region into Idaho. It is illegal to use live fish as bait, or to import live whole fish to be used as bait. The virus can survive temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit. If the disease spreads to Idaho, it will most likely be by someone using infected bait for fishing or moving fish illegally from one body of water to another. Anglers can protect Idaho fish by only using legal bait. Before stocking fish in private ponds, landowners are required to contact Fish and Game for a permit and a list of approved commercial fish hatcheries with certified disease-free fish. Everyone can help by reporting sick fish and fish kills to regional Fish and Game offices. Sick fish often will appear listless, swim in circles, or hang just below the surface. Their skin, especially on the head, will often have large red patches from hemorrhaging. The eyes may also be pushed outwards. The hemorrhaging causes organs to fail and the fish to die. The virus poses no known threats to humans, even if they eat infected fish.