IDNR hopes to slow spread of fish-killing VHS disease
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced emergency regulations aimed at slowing the spread of fish-killing Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in Illinois after a sampling of fish in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan detected the presence of VHS in two species of fish.
VHS is a disease of fish caused by an aquatic virus previously unidentified in the Midwest. While it does not affect humans, VHS can kill a substantial number of fish, and it has been spreading throughout the Great Lakes.
"The new regulations we are implementing are immediate and appropriate steps in trying to slow the spread of this dangerous aquatic virus in Illinois," said IDNR acting director Sam Flood. "Sport fishing and boating are both very popular and important to the Illinois economy. The cooperation of anglers and boaters is essential in combating VHS."
The new emergency regulations being implemented by the IDNR boaters include eliminating natural water from all equipment when leaving a body of water, and emptying and draining all bait buckets, livewells, baitwells, bilges or any other compartment capable of holding natural waters when leaving a body of water.
The IDNR is insisting that anglers not remove living VHS-susceptible species from any waters. Anglers may catch and keep VHS-susceptible species, but they may not transport those fish live from the waters where they were caught.
The list of fish species capable of carrying VHS is very large. For a detailed accounting, contact the DNR at (217) 558-1540.
On the local fishing scene:
Fox Chain: Walleye are decent on Channel Lake near current areas in 8 feet. Largemouth bass are good, too, on Channel as well as on Pistakee Lake. Excellent bluegill angling on Fox and Petite Lakes.
Fox River: There's still some good smallmouth fishing at Batavia and South Elgin close to shore.
Lake Michigan: For the entire month of July, perch fishing is closed for anglers 16 and older. Coho action very good right out of Waukegan Harbor in 75 feet of water. It's almost a carbon copy out of Winthrop Harbor, but a shade deeper for coho and kings.
Yarmuth's in: McHenry's Cory Yarmuth is one of two men to survive the regional competition for a berth at the finals this September in Field & Stream magazine's Total Outdoorsman Challenge. It's the fifth year Field & Stream has held the event to find the best-of-the-best overall outdoors person among men and women anglers, hunters and marksmen in the U.S.