HARRISON -- The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the reappearance of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Budd Lake in Harrison.
The 175-acre lake in central Clare County experienced a die-off of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills, and pumpkinseed sunfish in late April and early May this year. A similar die-off involving bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and muskellunge occurred in the spring of 2007, and the VHS virus was identified in the lake from that mortality. Despite annual monitoring since 2007, the VHS virus was undetected through 2010.
DNR biologists and technicians responded to calls from the public in early May to investigate the reported fish kill, collecting samples of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed that were sent the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory at Michigan State University. Test results received this week indicate that both large- and smallmouth bass were positive for VHS virus; the results for the other species are still pending.
VHS is known to cause large-scale mortalities in fish populations over short periods of time. Infected fish may exhibit hemorrhaging in the skin including large red patches, small pin-point spots of minor hemorrhaging, or no external signs at all. Sick fish will often appear listless, swim in circles, or hang just below the surface. They don't flee from humans or boats and are easily netted or caught by hand. VHS only infects fish; humans are not susceptible to the virus.
Budd Lake is one of only two inland lakes in Michigan -- Baseline Lake in Washtenaw County is the other -- where the presence of the VHS virus has been confirmed. It was not known if the virus was still present in the lake in the four years since the last mortality.
"These test results confirm the continued presence of the virus in Budd Lake and reinforces the continued need for anglers and boaters to follow our regulations that are designed to prevent VHS virus from spreading," said acting-Lake Huron Basin Coordinator Todd Grischke. "It is important that anglers and boaters not move live fish between waters, empty live wells and bilges when leaving a body of water, and disinfect and clean their equipment to prevent the spread of VHS virus to other waters."
"New restrictions concerning movement of fish out of Budd Lake are unlikely at this time," said DNR Fish Production Manager Gary Whelan, who oversees fish disease management for the agency. "Regulations already in place since 2007 restrict the harvest and use of fish and baitfish from VHS-positive waters, and Budd Lake is included in that category. Boaters on Budd Lake are reminded to carefully dry and disinfect boats and trailers before launching in other waters to minimize the likelihood of spreading the virus."
Additional information on VHS virus and on the ways that anglers and boaters can prevent the spread of this pathogen and other undesirable organisms and plants can be found by CLICKING HERE.
