National Wild Fish Health Surveys in the Midwest
Key Points
The National Wild Fish Health Survey provides information on the presence or absence of aquatic animal pathogens in wild fish populations to tribes, state and federal fisheries managers, the aquaculture industry, conservation groups, researchers, and the
This page answers common questions about the wild fish health survey.
Government agencies, universities, or NGOs can partner with the La Crosse Fish Health Center to do a wild fish health survey.
What is the Wild Fish Health Survey?
Since 1997 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fish health centers have conducted a National Wild Fish Health Survey to improve our ability to conserve fish and waterways. The survey provides information on the presence or absence of aquatic animal pathogens in wild fish populations to Tribes, state and federal fisheries managers, the aquaculture industry, conservation groups, researchers, and the public. This information helps to better manage both hatchery and wild fish populations.
Why the Wild Fish Health Survey?
- In the 1990's Myxobolus cerbralis, the causative agent of whirling disease, was associated with a populations crashes in wild trout in the western United States. These events showed how little is known about diseases among wild fish and their distribution.
- Valuable stocks of fish may be at risk because of our lack of knowledge about distribution of pathogens in wild fish.
- A standardized approach is necessary to allow for comparisons between species, areas, and watersheds. This information may help identify why a pathogen in one area has negative impacts on certain fish stocks while not in others.
- Scientific information is needed to provide a biological basis for management decisions regarding stocking, wild gamete collection, and fish transport activities.
- Because of Wild Fish Health Surveys, biologists have gained a great deal of knowledge about the relationship between the presence of pathogens in wild fish and their likelihood of producing disease in either wild or hatchery produced fish.
Common Questions about the Wild Fish Health Survey
Target Pathogens
Each fish will be evaluated for target pathogens that are known to infect particular species. In addition, fish species not usually tested may be found to carry these target pathogens or parasites. These target results will provide added insight into disease transmission in the wild.
Pathogens we test for:
Launch the National Wild Fish Health Survey Database Mapper
To view the results of Wild Fish Health Surveys around the nation, open the mapper by clicking on the link below (best viewed by maximizing your browser window):
Partner with us for a Wild Fish Health Survey
If you are a part of a government agency, university, or NGO, contact our local Wild Fish Health Survey coordinator: