Virus Detected in Largemouth Bass in Kansas

In 2007, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) fisheries staff confirmed the presence of largemouth bass virus (LMBV) at Crawford State Fishing Lake in southeast Kansas, reports InfoZine. Testing of bass from the lake was conducted in response to a decline in the population. Now, four other lakes in the state have tested positive for the virus: Big Hill Reservoir (east of Cherryvale), Gardner City Lake (north of Gardner), Lonestar Lake (southwest of Lawrence) and Woodson State Fishing Lake (east of Toronto).

KDWP staff have been screening for the virus, particularly at Farlington Fish Hatchery, which uses Crawford State Fishing Lake for its water supply.

KDWP biologists, like other fisheries scientists around the country, are working to learn more about the virus and its impact on the resource. Scientists do not know enough about it to determine if the virus will have long-lasting effects on bass populations. Studies throughout the US suggest that it does not cause long-term harm to fisheries.