VHS Fact Sheet

Minnows as Bait: What Wisconsin anglers need to know to prevent spreading the VHS fish virus

VHS Alert - Attention Anglers

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers and VHS

Zebra Mussel Boater's Guide

 

Dear Wisconsin conservationists, anglers, boaters and lake stewards:

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, or VHS, was found last weekend in Little Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County. We have subsequently had seven samples from Lake Winnebago test positive for the disease. VHS is a serious threat to our fisheries and to Wisconsin’s $2.3 billion fishing industry. Although we’ve been preparing for its discovery here for some time, we’ve had to act swiftly and comprehensively this week to curb any possible spread to other inland waters.

At the state level, we are in the process of developing monitoring procedures to track VHS. We’ve suspended all stocking of fish, transfers of fish among hatcheries or water bodies, and collections of forage fish or eggs from the wild. In addition, I have appointed a VHS response team to compile information and develop recommendations as we move forward.

This week, the Natural Resources Board also extended an April emergency rule aimed at preventing the spread of VHS to include Lake Winnebago. It prohibits anglers and boaters on that water system -- as well as the Great Lakes and Mississippi River -- from moving live fish from the lake and requiring the drainage of boats and livewells before leaving the landing. I commend the NRB’s swift action. We don’t want anglers and boaters to accidentally spread the disease to any additional inland waters.

It’s important for you to know, however, that VHS doesn’t affect people – you can still keep and eat the fish you catch – but it can kill a broad range of game fish. We need to work together to stop the spread of this disease. It is difficult to say exactly what impact VHS will have on our fishery or how many species it might affect in Wisconsin. However, experience in other states indicates that fisheries can and have bounced back. We are still going to have a lot of fish in our lakes and rivers for anglers to catch and enjoy.

Some of the emergency restrictions put in place may cause an inconvenience, but there’s a lot at stake here. Wisconsin’s public is the first and last lines of defense against this disease, and without help, we cannot fight VHS. Where ever in Wisconsin you are enjoying one of our 15,000 lakes, you can help slow the spread by practicing the following precautions:

# Do not move water or live fish from one water body to another. Drain the bilge, bait bucket and live well at the landing, dispose of minnows in the trash and put your catch on ice at the landing.
# Clean plants and other debris from your boat before leaving the landing; and
# Buy minnows from a registered Wisconsin dealer or catch the minnows you use from the same water you plan to fish.

Wisconsin’s natural resources belong to all of us, and we all have a stake in protecting them. I’ve attached some links to more information about VHS. My sincere thanks for your help in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Scott Hassett, Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

VHS information on DNR’s website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs.html

Frequently asked questions about VHS:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_prevent.html

What is being done to slow the spread:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_questions.html

Lake Views, current issue: Fall 2007
(note: please see our LBPIA Area Chair Network link on this web site for the most up information on the Area Chair for your property)

Fall 2007
Spring, 2007
Fall, 2006
Spring, 2006
Fall, 2005
Spring 2005
Fall, 2004
Spring, 2004

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Shoreland Rule Revision Website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/news.htm

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
phone: (608) 266-0161
fax:(608) 267-2800
e-mail: toni.herkert@wisconsin.gov

Please visit the Shoreland Restoration Project located on the Lake Management land on Highway J in front of the DD Tavern (on the Mill Lake section of Lake Beulah).

Fifty feet of shoreline were planted with an average depth of 7 feet. A variety of native plants with about 20 different species were planted.

This project was funded by the LBPIA under the guidance of Audrey Greene from Walworth County. Planters: Marge Harvey, Patti Nolan, Tiger Bienstadt and Frank Rappold. Jim Butler and Lynn Carlson for allowed us to use their watering facilities.

Please stop by and take a look!

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A Practical Guide to Restoring Shoreland Habitat
By Audrey Green, Walworth County Lake Specialist

Step One: Planning
Evaluate the site: soil (a soil test is often the best method), slope, moisture, light conditions, erosion potential, access points, shoreline traffic patterns, pier placement.

Evaluate existing vegetation: identify native species for preservation and exotic species for removal.

Determine species native to the area that will thrive with your given site conditions. Consult local experts for assistance.

Determine which restoration strategy or combination of approaches will be most effective:

1. Preservation of existing native vegetation, with selective planning if necessary.
2. Natural recovery (eliminating mowing), to allow dormant native seed bank to reestablish itself. This method is effective where turf grasses are not established and fill has not covered the original soil.
3. Accelerated recovery, introducing more mature plantings of native trees, shrubs,grasses, flowers and wetland plants.

Consider your goals: restoring habitat, aesthetics, erosion control, nutrient buffer, noise control, goose control, privacy.

Create a rough sketch of your vision, incorporating the above elements.

Step Two: Secure Plant Material
Decide which native plant species you intend to plant. Find a reliable supplier. Order plants and find out when you can expect delivery.

Step Three: Killing Existing Herbaceous Vegetation Using:
Black Plastic – the most effective (when left in place long enough) and environmentally friendly method; must be applied for 4 – 6 weeks during early/mid summer.
OR
Herbicide – Roundup is one of the safest and best; vegetation must be actively growing; site may require more concentrated herbicide when existing plant matter is dense and/or woody; check with DNR for permit for near-water application; must be applied to existing vegetation 4-6 days before planting a buffer.

Step Four: Mulch
After using either method from step 3, when you are sure that all existing vegetation is dead, lay down a 2-3 inch layer of weed free mulch over the dead vegetation.

Step Five: Planting
Move mulch aside; dig hole with transplanting spade, bulb planter, or bulb-planting drill. Remove plug from container, separate roots if necessary, plant, cover with soil, return mulch around (not touching) plant.

Step Six: Water
Plantings need supplemental watering the first year of establishment because their root systems are small. The second season, watering will only be necessary during long dry periods. Giving plants a good soaking less frequently is better than watering frequently, in small amounts.

Step Seven: Weed
Diligent weeding throughout the first season is very important to give your plantings the best competitive edge.

Repeat Steps Six & Seven as Needed.

Note: For additional information on all of the steps listed above and for assistance with selecting native plants for your site, please contact Audrey Greene, Lake Specialist (262) 741-3460 or email: agreen@co.walworth.wi.us

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Each spring the LBPIA and LBMD sponsors students to "Water Days." This three day youth education program is presented by Camp Edwards for local area school children.

For more on the many programs offered at Camp Edwards, see The Camps of Lake Beulah.

LANDMARK BOOK ON WISCONSIN FISHES IS ONLY A CAST AWAY ONLINE

Becker's approach to documenting both the fish species and the management of fish ecosystems was a model for others; "American Zoologist" magazine called it one of the best books of its kind ever written.

Wisconsin's Water Library, the University of Wisconsin Press, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Digital Collections collaborated to digitize the book and make it freely available online:
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/EcoNatRes.FishesWI

Wisconsin Wetlands Association

A Practical Guide to Restoring Shoreland Habitats

Walworth County Land Conservancy

UW Extension Lakes Program

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The Natural Areas Association

Treehaven

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids!
Brought to you by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This electronic magazine is for kids in grades 4-8. Surf around and learn more about the great outdoors.

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