A fish virus has killed these black crappie that were found in Lake DuBay and the Stevens Point flowage in late April and early May 2011
DU BAY, Wis. (WSAU) – A fish virus has caused a large kill on Lake DuBay and the Stevens Point flowage that is under investigation by the state Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR first learned of the fish kill on Lake DuBay on April 25. They determined that a virus primarily affecting 3-year-old black crappie caused the kill. The kill on DuBay has been widespread and has covered many areas of the water with concentrations of dead fish along Seagull Drive and areas to the south.
The fish kill on the Stevens Point flowage was first reported on Sunday. That fish kill is also widespread and affecting crappie that are 3 to 4-years-old.
The DNR has sent samples of live fish from both lakes to the fish health lab in Madison for testing. The fish showed signs of eroded fins, some internal abnormalities and poor quality gills. The fish are also infected with a fungus that is visible on the dorsal fin.
The symptoms are consistent with other black crappie fish kills in lakes in the Madison area and northwestern Wisconsin over the past few years. They are not consistent with viral hemorrhagic septicemia, though further lab tests are pending.
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