Thanks. He was a nice fish. I released him after taking pic then wondered if I should have kept him. Caught a total of 10 fish from 8 1/2 to 10 1/2 inches and weighing from 11.3 to 16.8 ozs. They were very healthy looking other than this one.
It's a bacterial infection. These bacterial infections are typically secondary infections as a result of cold water fungus, but once the water warms it's conducive to secondary bacterial growth. It will probably heal. Sometimes parasites get in on the act when the sub dermal layer is exposed.
Typically you also see this kind of stuff at spawning time on males that are defending their territory. The fish are fighting other males off, they aren't feeding, and they are stressed.
Do you concur Bruce?
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/07/1210:54 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
Sounds like these infections will clear up on their own given time, so don't feel the need to harvest these fish...unless you're craving some fillets and need an excuse!
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
c130driver, sorry, didn't see your post over there. Saw it over at the BBG. As Cecil pointed out, it's the pathogenic or bacterial infection, the red sore disease. Commonly found in bass and trout population as well during spawning season.
Leo
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My bg have the same thing from time to time. I have caught several exactly like yours. Seems like mine is usually late winter or early spring. Usually I find red spots on their side as well as the fin damage. My fish are biting good here in AL also.
I have been seeing this in some of my BG. Just the dorsal fin & on some fish it appears that the whole fin is gone just a white line left. I have not caught any, just observations from shore. It is also interesting that the affected fish are in just one size group 5-7 inches. Both the smaller & larger BG are WNL. The diseased fish appear to function well & do not know that they a have a problem.
All seems strange with such a very mild winter we have had. This is also the first year that I have noticed this problem. I thought since they were one size group, dinner size, that attacks by LMB might have been the cause. Water temps are now in the 70s.
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