DNR: Dead fish in Lake Mac caused by virus, no risk to humans or pets
HOLLAND — Residents of Holland and Park Township have noticed a slew of dead fish in Lake Macatawa over the last month. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed there are more fatalities than usual; and there's a reason.
The DNR announced Friday the fish are dying from viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a highly contagious, fatal fish disease. It does not pose a threat to humans or pets that come in contact with the water, according to officials.
Reports of dead and dying fish near the outlet channel of Lake Macatawa began in mid-April. Staff from the DNR Fisheries Division attempted to collect specimens “suitable for analysis” to send to Michigan State University’s Aquatic Animal Health Lab. Most were unsuitable because they'd been dead for “quite a while,” the DNR said.
However, one pumpkinseed sunfish from the original investigation was fresh enough for testing. While that fish was being tested, more reports came in and a second attempt was made to collect specimens. Seven freshwater drum, also known as sheepshead, were collected and delivered to the lab.
The pumpkinseed sunfish and six of the seven drum tested positive for VHS.
“The die-off mostly affected freshwater drum, with smaller numbers of gizzard shad and sunfish also being impacted,” said DNR Fisheries Division Assistant Chief Ed Eisch. “The virus that causes VHS is known to have been in the Great Lakes basin since approximately 2005.”
With water temperatures rising, the DNR expects the current outbreak in Lake Macatawa is “probably winding down.” It’s not expected to have a lasting effect on the lake’s fish population.
VHS has the potential to cause “significant mortality in species important to anglers,” the DNR said, so minimizing spread is important.
Fishers and boaters are advised to disinfect gear that comes into contact with the water, as well as cleaning, draining and drying boats and trailers before going from one body of water to the next.
“Doing so is always a good practice," Eisch said. "But especially if you’ve been in Lake Macatawa this spring.”
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"Fish kills" are not uncommon in Lake Macatawa and other bodies of water, particularly as water temperatures rise quickly in water abundant with algae. The combined rising temperature and low oxygen levels can stress fish, particularly those that inhabit deeper parts of the water.
The DNR has a survey fishers, boaters and other water visitors can fill out to report fish kills called "Eyes in the Field," available at michigan.gov/dnr.
Learn more at michigan.gov/fishhealth.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: DNR: Dead fish in Lake Mac caused by virus, no risk to humans or pets
