Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, is an infectious fish disease that appears to be spreading rapidly and threatens to wreak havoc on fish populations in areas throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern U.S.   Vermont has already implemented regulations, hopeful to prevent the spread of the disease, and it appears that Minnesota is following suit.

Regulations to prevent VHS spread involve thorough fish testing protocols and restricted movement of fish among lakes and streams.  The threat of VHS will certainly influence the thriving baitfish industries in many of these areas and restrict the ability of fishermen to collect live bait for fishing.   Failure to prevent VHS spread, however, may result in much more crippling effects to fish populations and the anglers who pursue them.

Read more about VHS here