Bass with Lesions

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: Pike Branch

I put the waders on and was walking the shores of some new waters and hooked into a variety of fish. Got a little concerned when all the bass I caught, total of 2, had lesions. Is this the LMBV as stated in the annual Black Bass Review? Per Google maps the location looks to be called Pike Branch a runoff of Cameron Run. Always catch and release.

DNR Response: Lesions aren't caused by LMBV. But, lesions are pretty common during summer. During summer, handling stress or bird strikes or swimming into things in the water can all lead to small sores that develop in the skin. The sores can become infected by bacteria, especially during summer and cause more severe lesions.

Sometimes, we've collected fish with lesions and LMBV, but the two aren't linked. If a fish develops disease from LMBV, then you'd likely see it swimming haphazardly at the surface of the water and its gas bladder would be infected. Most of the time, fish with LMBV do not develop the disease. Instead, they're just carriers and look as healthy as every other fish out there. On occasion, though, when water quality is bad or handling stress is severe, then disease can develop from LMBV.