There have been numerous reports from around Clear Lake of dead carp floating up on shore. Fishing guide Bob Myskey of Nice reports that he observed at least 25 dead carp on the beach near his home and that he has also seen numerous dead carp in other areas on the lake. At least 30 carcasses were picked up along the shore at Library Park in Lakeport Monday morning.
According to Carolyn Ruttan of the County Water Resources it is expected that the carp died from a virus called Koi Herpes Virus. This particular virus strikes only members of the carp species and other fish in the lake are not infected with it. Ruttan says that the virus can’t be passed on to humans or pets and lakeside residents should bury the dead carp. She also said the die-offs aren’t because of a lack of oxygen in the water. Ruttan said dissolved oxygen (DO) readings taken at several locations show that there is plenty of oxygen in the water.
Department of Fish and Wildlife fishery biologists Ben Ewing, said that carp can carry the virus for several years and they can spread it to other carp during the spawning season when they are in a weakened condition. He said a fish will usually die within a few days after being infected. He said that he will be at Clear Lake later this week and will take samples of the dead fish to the DFW labratory in Sacramento.
In 2008 the virus was responsible for tens of thousands of dead carp in Clear Lake. At that time the die off was so drastic the county placed dumpsters at locations around the lake to collect the carp. Periodically over the years there have been carp die-offs on the lake.
