About Us
The La Crosse Fish Health Center:
Established in 1962, the La Crosse Fish Health Center serves as the region’s primary resource for aquatic animal health. .The La Crosse Fish Health Center is housed within the Midwest Fisheries Center, which also includes the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Whitney Genetics Laboratory and administrative, GIS and outreach staff. The center provides comprehensive health inspections and diagnostic services to national fish hatcheries throughout the Midwest. Like all animals, fish are vulnerable to a range of environmental, nutritional, and infectious diseases, many of which can be fatal if not promptly addressed. Infectious diseases, those caused by pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, or viruses, are of particular concern because they can spread rapidly within hatcheries, between facilities during fish transfers, or to wild populations if infected fish are released.
Through surveys, inspections, and research, the center works to maintain the health of fish, freshwater mussel, and amphibian populations, supporting the long-term benefit of the American public. The center diagnoses illnesses in sick fish, helps prevent the spread of invasive species through its fish surrender program and grass and black carp ploidy analysis, and contributes to advancing scientific understanding of aquatic pathogens. Its staff are regional leaders in training biologists to assess fish health through their Fish Health Course.
The La Crosse Fish Health Center uses these policies and resources to guide their work:
- Aquatic Animal Health Procedures and Protocols Handbook
- Aquatic Animal Health Operations
- Aquatic Animal Health Policy Introduction
- Fish Health Section BLUE BOOK 2020 Edition- Suggested Procedures for the Detection and Identification of Certain Finfish and Shellfish Pathogens
Our Mission
“Working in partnership, we provide leadership in science, technology and education for conservation of aquatic ecosystems emphasizing fisheries, aquatic invasive species, genetics and aquatic animal health for the benefit of the public”.
Our History
1924 - Bureau of Fisheries moved to La Crosse’s Riverside Park.
1962 - The La Crosse Fish Health Center started with a single biologist stationed at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. Staff moved several times until the 1990s.
1995 - The La Crosse Fish Health Center and the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, along with the offices for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - La Crosse District, moved to its current location in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
2013 - The Midwest Fisheries Center was established, housing the Whitney Genetics Lab within the La Crosse Fish Health Center along with housing the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and the Regional Watercraft Safety Coordinator.
2015 - The first Midwest Fisheries Center Director was hired in addition to core administrative and GIS staff.
2018 - The Midwest Fisheries Center lobby was renovated to add more workspace as well as visitor information and displays.