RED SPOTS ON WALLEYE BELLIES?

[trollingforeyes]

I have caught several larger walleyes (females)from deep water this week and noticed that they have red spots on their bellies. Is this from sitting inactive on the bottom? The smaller males do not seem to have them. Anyone know whats going on?

[united jigsticker]

Stretch markings from the eggs............

[The Grebe]

Probably from some kind of external parasite? If they sit in one spot for to long, who know what kind of creepy crawly, swimmy might be lurking waiting to get a shot at something?

[trollingforeyes]

They do not look like stretch marks. The parisite theory sounds more likely. I was also wondering if it could be lake specific? Does anyone know for sure.

[bigbritt]

they get red spots from flopping on the ice or whatever ruff surface...it is like a bruise..here is a picture i saw that shows this..is that what you are talking about???

look at the one on the left

[jnorm1984]

Very common, its a bacteria, I forget the name. I have my Fisheries class this afternoon, Ill get a the name posted later tonite er tommarow...

[trollingforeyes]

The spots are like the one on the left. They are like that when they come out of the water. If it was only one like that I would agree that it may be from flopping around on the ice. However there have been several like this.

[Wayne Ek]

Bed sores from inactivity?

[trollingforeyes]

I just received this reply from the Minnesota DNR. My thanks for their response.

" Although from the picture it is hard to determine what caused those red spots, the fish seems to be healthy. I would open up the fish and look into the muscle tissue (fillet). If the muscle tissue does not have the same red spots and appear to be normal, I would say the fish is safe to eat. But please make sure cook your fish well. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks

Ling

Ling Shen, Fish Health Specialist

Fish Pathology Lab

Division of Ecological Services

MN Dept. Natural Resources

651-259-5138

651-296-1811(Fax)

651-259-5096 (Lab)"

The inside muscle tissue did not have any red spots.

[Fish Head]

There was an article in Tuesday's Star Tribune about a new virus in fish called "VHS". They call it the "Ebola of fish" because it can wipe out a population simular to ebola virus in Africa.

They said it is currently in the eastern great lakes, but they are worried about it spreading to Superior and inland lakes. It's probably not VHS, but the pictures did look simular to your fish.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/vhs-photos_190459_7.pdf