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DNR Keeping Deadly Fish Disease From Minnesota Lakes

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The DNR is trying to figure out the best way to deal with a deadly and contagious fish disease.

A couple years ago, Lake Superior tested positive for a viral disease called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, or VHS.

Since then it has been found in Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, and officials are worried that it could spread to Minnesota lakes.

The disease attacks dozens of fish species, including walleyes.

"You'll see it in the skin, the gills, the eyes, the internal organs," said Al Stevens of the Minnesota DNR.

There's no mistaking a fish infected by VHS.

Fish become listless and eventually bleed out.

"It's a serious, deadly disease of fish, and it's spread between fish, either through contact or the water," Stevens said.

VHS affects dozens of fish species, including walleyes, muskies, small mouth bass and panfish.

It has been detected on all five Great Lakes, and in one of Wisconsin's biggest freshwater lakes: Lake Winnebago.

But so far, it hasn't gone beyond Lake Superior.

Charlie Nelson runs Nelson's Guide and Charter Service in Duluth.

"What we've been more affected by is prevention," he said, "making sure water is out of live wells and minnow buckets and stuff like that."

He's been fishing the St. Louis River for more than 30 years.

And while he hasn't seen signs of VHS yet, the guidelines for stopping the spread of the disease have him literally throwing his bait away.

"You are pretty much committed to throwing your minnows away at the end of the day," Nelson said. "Cost-wise, that starts to add up over time, even for your average weekend fisherman."

But those are guidelines Nelson is willing to abide by if it means keeping VHS contained.

"We don't want anglers to move fish between waters. Don't move water, water from lakes and streams. And clean your boat, rinse your boat off. If we can keep from moving the virus around, we will not have it in inland waters," Stevens said.

Stevens said the public has until March 27 to send in written comments on possible rule changes for controlling the disease.

If you do happen to catch a fish that looks like it may have VHS, Stevens wants you to contact the DNR immediately. But do not remove the fish from that location.

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