September 28, 2007
DNR says fish it raised had no sign of virus
WILD ROSE, Wis. (AP) – A state fish hatchery won approval to stock thousands of brown trout in Lake Michigan and its tributaries after meeting new requirements aimed at reducing the risk of spreading a deadly virus found in fish, state officials report.
The Department of Natural Resources said last week that no DNR-raised fish or hatchery water supply in Wisconsin tested positive for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, but the DNR and the state agriculture department still are requiring testing for it before fish from any DNR hatchery can be used for stocking.
The disease makes fish bleed to death but is not a threat to people, pets or wildlife. It was found early last May in fish from the Lake Winnebago system in east central Wisconsin.
Steve Fajfer, superintendent of the old Wild Rose hatchery, said brown trout stocking included:
• On Sept. 18, there were 17,403 stocked in Kenosha Harbor and 13,000 in two Rivers Harbor.
• On Sept. 14, there were 18,687 stocked in Kenosha, 13,384 in Two Rivers harbor, and 9,890 in Kewaunee harbor.
• On Sept. 13, there were 19,636 stocked near Pigeon River in Sheboygan County.
• On Sept. 12, there were 21,020 stocked in Port Washington Harbor.
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