Sick pike?

[slushpuppy]

Bowzog and I were at Blacks Rapids on Saturday night. I caught a pike (above the falls) that looked really sick. We took a picture but it didn't come out clear enough to see. The fish had red spots all over, even on the tail and fins. It looked as if it was bleeding from every pore. It also had a couple of raw ulcer-like spots the size of a dime. Anywhere you touched it, you ended up with blood on your hands.

Anyone seen this before?

[scttsmpsn]

leeches perhaps?

[MichaelVandenberg]

There was a pike like this caught last year by someone on this board...Even a pic to boot.

[banjo]

I've caught quite a few like that before. Never knew why... figured it was just sick.

[MarkP]

It's called Red Spot and is a bacterial infection like swimmers itch. You'll find it anywhere the water is warm and over fertilized. (ie: Rideau). Fish that bad was probably on his last. Seem's to be a pike specific, since i've not seen it on muskie or bass. I have been assured that the pike is safe to eat but I'm fussy about thing's like sick, ulcerous fish. I like to leave them for the sea gulls. (umm beak licking good)
Mark

[Cancatchbass]

Methinks it was Hawk hisself that caught the oozy pike.

Yecch!!! I had never seen such a sorry looking fish.

CCB

[BBRich]

It can also happen if the fish was just recently caught and mishandled. If left on a carpet, dragged over rocks/dirt, etc. it takes the protective slime coat off and causes multiple sores and bleeding.

[wolfe]

I've seen this, too, Slushpuppy, but not to the extent of the one you saw. Sounds nasty. I always referred to the sores as "ulcerations", too, as that is certainly what they look like. I imagine it is due to something viral or bacterial. Usually, the ones I've caught this way have one, maybe two areas affected & from my recollection they are usually, if not exclusively (?) pike.

W.

[big-o]

Topwater and I were fishing below the long Island Locks...and i caught a small mouth(3lbs) that had the same sores on it ...it also went back to the water live out it's final days ...It was the first one I've ever seen...and last I hope

[ken & Jo]

I caught a Walleye like that last year. It was quite the sight. I believe it is similar to some form of cancer that Muskies were getting in I believe Lake St. Clair. I'll see if I can't find the article.....unless Spinner can come up with the link???? Where has Spinner been come to think of it?????

Ken

[Moosebunk]

Where have you been is the question Ken???

How was your luck up there in Temagami this spring???

Any big EYES to tell about???

[wolfe]

Yeah, welcome back to the land of the living, Ken. Wondering where you had gotten to? Hopefully, fishing.

W.

[ken & Jo]

I have been updated via PM by Markus Wasn't trying to anger the Fish-hawk gods. You know how it is when you go away for a week and trying to catch up to all the posts is next to impossible. Heck trying to catch up after a weekend is pretty tough. Anywho, the week in Temagami was not what I would consider my most enjoyable time fishing. The scenery was incredible but the fishing was not productive for our group and it was DAMN COLD! Mind you the least enjoyable part was a couple of idiots in our group that deemed it necessary to share their excess gases on a CONTINUOUS/NON-STOP basis. Let's just say when not sleeping or fishing I was outside for the most part of the trip. Wolfe, I haven't fished as much as I would have liked the last couple of weeks but I fully intend to make up for it beginning this Friday. I'll be going to my trailer from June 25th til July 4th. Anyone that plans on being on the BOQ around that time, try hailing me on channel 4 and 0 on the FRS radio.

ciao for now
Ken

[big-o]

HI Ken


It's time to get a VHF radio ......No problem with the Fish-Hawk Gods Spinner is still a member in good standing with this board Ken i think I will try and make it down to Quinte in the next three weeks i will PM you with date......or I hope to make it in the next three weeks