Perch with weird groths

[jd_7655]

Anyone else been catching perch with weird groths on them. The last two weekends I've been out and I've had to through back a handfull of fish because of it and the ones I've kept did'nt look to healthy. I've been catching perch on lsc for 18 years and never seen anything like it. They look like bite marks from bigger fish or wounds of some type with brownish grey stringy fur growing out of the wound. I cought 20 perch today and gave them away because of what I've seen the past two weeks. If I catch anymore I'm takeing them to the dnr.

[UTEP]

what u mean groths?

[gsepan]

"growths"

[brianroy6]

Ive caught perch with missing scales, likes theyve been hit by a bigger fish. But i haven't caught any with fur growing off them:yikes:

[Swell Time]

I have been fishing around metro and have cought a few perch with white bumps around their eyes.

[stinger63]

Might have something to with the musky pox or bass fungus disease spreading over into the perch population now or just maybe all that sewage dumping in from the clinton river is having a pronouced affect on them.

[jd_7655]

Sorry I ment growths. Yeah metro beach is where i've been fishing and seeing this and its really discusting looking too. I'm surprise more people have'nt responded to this thread because I've seen it on more than one fish and more than on one occasion. It's a sore with a grey substance growing out of it almost looks like fur. Oh well i catch another one i'm going to the dnr with it. If your fishing in the area keep an eye out for it.

[stealydawn]

WHAT EVER you do, don't touch it!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Fishnnut]

I have caught fish with the Growths to often and all over the US side of the lake.
I have seen it on Bass, Pike and Walleye's to and I do not fish that much.

[MiketheElder]

My son caught a walleye last year in the Detroit River that was positively gross. We let it go but afterwards I thought we should have thrown it on shore. Let the rats and cats eat it. Won't hurt them.

M

[William H Bonney]

I caught quite a few last year that had growths on them, kinda like you described, minus the "hair". I've caught walleye outta Ford Lake that you wouldn't touch even if you had a HAZMAT suit on, seriously, we just cut the line. :rolleyes:

[stinger63]

Its not uncommon to catch walleyes out of the st clair river with the growths on them.THE dnr says nothing to worry about but......... Im still skeptical.Perch with growths I wouldnt touch or eat them either.

[PWood]

From the DNR Web site

"Diseases and Exotics"
It is not unusual for anglers to catch walleye with pink, whitish, or yellowish wart-like growths on their bodies and fins. These are caused by fish viruses, the most common of which is called lymphocystis. This is primarily a skin disease, and the flesh is usually not affected. Lymphocystis is harmless to humans and affected fish are safe to eat. Skinning the fish usually removes all diseased tissue. If a legal size fish is heavily affected and appears aesthetically unpleasing, it should be kept for disposal because a fish that is released will only spread more virus."

I've been told that these viruses can also affect perch. These viruses are more prevalent at times of elevated stress like spawn or near spawn periods.
If you catch any more perch with those growths, by all means take them to the DNR and let us know what their findings are.

[Ed Michrina]

It's best to field test them- :sick: If the growths taste bitter dont eat it :tdo12:

[jd_7655]

I know what lymphocystis are I've seen it on walleye and in my aquarium but that isnt what i'm seeing on the perch its something different. Lympocystis look like tumors on the outside of the fish.