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Now that the summer has come and gone, many fishermen are still wondering what’s wrong with Kerr. Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland fisheries biologists have come up with an answer that many didn’t want to hear. State biologists found the Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV). This is a virus affects not only the everyday Joe on the water, but the bass fishing tournament community as well.
The LMBV was first discovered in the early 1990’s in the southern United States. It directly impacts several different fish species, but only appears to cause death in the Largemouth Bass population. Scientists don’t know how the virus is transmitted or how it is activated into disease. In addition, there is no known cure or preventative, as is commonly the case with most viruses. The LMBV only appears to kill largemouth bass, but it can be carried by other species of fish such as bluegill, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redbreast sunfish, white crappie, and black crappie.
Most bass that are carrying the LMBV will appear completely normal. In the cases where the virus has triggered disease, dying fish will be near the surface and have trouble swimming. This is because LMBV appears to attack their swim bladder, causing bass to lose their capacity to maintain buoyancy. Diseased fish might also appear bloated. Adult bass of three pounds and more seem to be the most susceptible to disease. Sores that may appear on some fish are caused by secondary infections of bacteria or fungi. This is due to the virus attacking their immune system.
    The good news is that this virus works in three to four year cycles. Studies in the southern states that have been affected by the LMBV have shown that bass populations were able to recover.  Even though the virus is still found, the bass are able to live a normal life. The bass population of Kerr will recover from this virus. Fisherman will have to learn to adapt to the changing conditions, and have to work harder to catch those elusive three pounders.

Here are some tips that anglers can take to help prevent the spread of the Largemouth Bass Virus.

•    Limit tournament fishing to the cooler months of the year. The higher water temperatures in the summer months are very stressful to fish.
•    Cooling water in the summer months with blocks of ice is highly recommended.  DO NOT decrease the water temperatures in the livewell to more than 20 degrees below the lake temperature as it can shock the fish. DO NOT use ice that has chlorine in it because chlorine is toxic to fish.
•    DO NOT transfer fish from one body of water to another, as this will spread the virus. DO NOT release live bait into a fishery.
•    Always clean and sterilize boats, trailers and especially livewells.  Studies have shown that the virus can survive in water in livewells up to seven days.  About 1.5 fluid ounces of bleach added to one gallon of water (1% solution) sprayed on livewell surfaces will kill the virus.  Let the bleach solution stand for 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and let air dry as chlorine bleach is toxic to fish.
•    Always report dead or dying fish to the state and wildlife agencies.