Minutes of Fish and Wildlife Councils Meetings June:

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Chief Barno reported for the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries. She shared information on a Furunculosis outbreak that has affected salmon that were received from Massachusetts. Massachusetts advised that the salmon that they have shown no sign of the disease and they have no history of Furunculosis. Other possible ways that this could have been spread was reviewed. A meeting is schedule with staff for next week. There was additional discussion on this matter.
Staff have sampled and tested trout from the South Branch after receiving photos of fish which possibly had Furunculosis. Updates of this were presented. Additional testing will be done at the Ken Lockwood Gorge and several other waterways as reviewed by Chief Barno.
There was additional discussion on the Furunculosis problem and additional research being done.
Electro-fishing at Lake Hopatcong was recently completed. Several different species of fish had lesions and appeared to be in an emaciated state. Chief Barno advised that this may not be from Furuncolosis, but several
of these fish will be sent for testing. Councilwoman Blumig inquired on other conditions that may have affected the fish, and Chief Barno gave a brief review of other possible reasons that could affect fish health.
Chief Barno noted that the invasive water chestnut plant has been seen and reported to be in the Lucy’s Island area of Lake Hopatcong. There was some further discussion on this.
Councilwoman Blumig shared concerns from several county Federation groups on the stocking of trout in rivers. They have indicated that they would rather have seen them in more contained waters. Chief Barno shared additional comments on this. Councilman Gudmundsson also shared comments he had received regarding the Spring trout stocking program.