The DNR has confirmed that the largemouth bass virus was detected in smallmouth bass taken from the bay of Green Bay near Door County.
In September 2021, 14 diseased smallmouth bass were collected from the waters surrounding Door County and examined by DNR fisheries staff.
Collected fish had skin wounds that appeared red, ulcerated, and varied in size and location.
These skin lesions often had a cream-colored layer of dead tissue in the center of the wound.
Since 2008, smallmouth bass displaying similar skin lesions have been sampled during several outbreaks in Lake Michigan and Green Bay waters.
While test results from fish sampled during those episodes had been inconclusive, the virus was detected in all 14 of the diseased fish sampled this year.
While the largemouth bass virus is not known to infect humans, the DNR urges anglers harvesting any fish to thoroughly cook their catch, never consume dead or dying fish.
