Attention all KLG fisherman

[Wilson]

In mid-May the Division of Fish and Wildlife conducted a preliminary fish health study in the South Branch Raritan River, specifically the Ken Lockwood Gorge, in response to a fisherman capturing an apparently diseased rainbow trout from the river. Pictures of the diseased fish showed skin and muscular lesions, consistent with clinical disease signs of furunculosis. Confirmation of furunculosis was not possible by the Division's Fish Pathologist because the fish was released by the fisherman back into the trout conservation stretch of the river.

Anglers catching apparently diseased fish, even those caught in catch and release areas, are asked to call the Fish Pathology Laboratory at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford at (908) 637-4173 (extension 120) or after hours contact the DEP Hotline (877) 927-6337, so arrangements can be made to acquire the fish for testing.

A study is being conducted at Ken Lockwood Gorge to determine the prevalence of furunculosis. The goals of the research project includes determining the prevalence of this bacterium within the Ken Lockwood Gorge, understanding the genetics of the fish affected by the bacterium, and fully characterizing the strains of the bacterium found in the river.

Furunculosis is an endemic disease caused by the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies salmonicida. The bacterium does not pose any human health risks. Although the bacterium is endemic in North America and has been known to exist in the state for a long period of time, clinical disease in wild or stocked trout in the environment has not been documented in New Jersey until this year.

The state's Pequest Trout Hatchery suffered an outbreak of furunculosis in September of 2013. A strict fish health policy was followed to avoid the introduction of fish affected with furunculosis or suspected carriers of the bacterium into trout waters, like Ken Lockwood Gorge. No fish with a history of furunculosis were released from Pequest into any state trout waters.

[dfish28]

Sad to say... But you've seen the movie "outbreak"... And monkeys can't fly... Here comes the negative part... KILL those cormorants... Open bow season year round for them, hell, they have tourneys to kill carp... Why not them?, I still say they are worse, some or many will disagree, but I see the logic, sorry that's my opinion. There are most likely other carriers, but I'm going to blame them for now, and yes I know there are other factors, but I hate the black devils. Rant over and $.02 deposited...

[AndyS]

Catch a trout that looks like Fuzzy Wuzzy, DONT throw it back !!

[acabtp]

until they get this figured out, if you fish the KLG, please consider not using felt soled waders or boots as they are very hard to sanitize. all gear should be at the very least be rinsed and fully dried before being used elsewhere.

[Polelock]

Hmmm.. What a surprise... The gamble is now lost... The pic of the fish is no doubt a bow with the disease...

I have heard from a Federation meeting that the Division electro fished the KLG after this was reported and found a brown with symptoms.. This was not in the DEP announcement.

"A strict fish health policy was followed to avoid the introduction of fish affected with furunculosis or suspected carriers of the bacterium into trout waters, like Ken Lockwood Gorge"

On October 4th, 2013 SB Raritan including KLG were stocked with fish. Division reported disease in September.. Were these fish unknowingly infected and stocked? If so all of the waters stocked in fall may be in jeopardy..

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-d...l#incart_river

[buzzbaiter]

NJDFGW said bows were immune/resistant and only carriers so whats with it showing symptoms?

[buzzbaiter]

A wild trout with the disease is a concern; a stocked trout with it is not.

[briansnat]

So they are saying if we catch an apparently diseased fish in a no kill water we should keep it and turn it over to them?

[bigfishy]

Originally Posted by briansnat

So they are saying if we catch an apparently diseased fish in a no kill water we should keep it and turn it over to them?

Anglers catching apparently diseased fish, even those caught in catch and release areas, are asked to call the Fish Pathology Laboratory at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford at (908) 637-4173 (extension 120) or after hours contact the DEP Hotline (877) 927-6337, so arrangements can be made to acquire the fish for testing.

That would be a VERY big YES

[Denlon]

Originally Posted by bigfishy

Anglers catching apparently diseased fish, even those caught in catch and release areas, are asked to call the Fish Pathology Laboratory at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford at (908) 637-4173 (extension 120) or after hours contact the DEP Hotline (877) 927-6337, so arrangements can be made to acquire the fish for testing.

That would be a VERY big YES

According to Brian Cowden's remarks at the last RRTU meeting, always kill the suspected fish so it can be examined for the disease. However, just put it in the refrigerator before you turn it over for examination...

DO NOT FREEZE IT!

Denny