What The…?

Anyone on here ever seen anything like this? I certainly haven’t. Its just on the back of this small Pike, nowhere else. Parasites?

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   Blue-spotted-Pike.jpg
   

That looks like blue spot disease (Esocid Herpesvirus1). I would send a note to the MN DNR and let them know when and where you caught it. They would probably appreciate knowing where this is taking place.

Hmm, never heard of it. After a quick google search, its tough to tell. But I think I will send the DNR a E-mail and see what they say. I had another guy tell me its parasites that fall off the weeds onto these small Northerns that spend a lot of time in the weeds. What doesn’t make sense to me is why don’t the other fish that spend their whole lives in weeds get these markings?

Looks fungal to me. I’m with H4W on contacting the dnr regarding this.

I have an E-mail (w/pic) out to the DNR. I’ll report back with their conclusion when I get it back.

E-mail has been forwarded to the Tower fisheries office.

I have received back an e-mail:

Hi Nick

It sure is. (Blue Spot Disease) I observed this a lot in spring when I worked with spawning muskellunge in Wisconsin and see it each year in our area lakes in Minnesota when we handle northern pike in spring. I have attached an informative handout that Vermont uses, should answer your questions. Give me a shout if you have any additional questions.

Best regards.

<>< <>< <>< <º))))))))><
Thomas Burri
Assistant Area Fisheries Supervisor | Fisheries Section

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   Blue-Spot_N-Pike.pdf
   

It seems to be fairly common & OK to the species. It was something I had never seen before.. Now I know!

Thanks for the info